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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

By: Harriet Jacobs
Narrated by: Audio Élan
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About this listen

Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography, written under the pseudonym Linda Brent, details her experiences as a slave in North Carolina, her escape to freedom in the north, and her ensuing struggles to free her children. The narrative was partly serialized in the New York Tribune, but was discontinued because Jacobs’ depictions of the sexual abuse of female slaves were considered too shocking. It was published in book form in 1861.

©1861 Public Domain (P)2012 Cherry Hill Publishing Americas Classics Colonial Period United States

Critic Reviews

"In such volumes as this, the true romance of American life and history is to be found. Patient suffering, heroic daring, untiring zeal, perseverance seemingly unparalleled, and growth from surroundings of degradation and ignorance to education, refinement, and power: all find in these modest pages their simple, yet affecting narrative. It is the "oft told tale" of American slavery, in another and more revolting phase than that which is generally seen. More revolting because it is of the spirit and not the flesh. In this volume, a woman tells in words of fire, yet never overstepping the bounds of the truest purity, not, how she was scourged and maimed, but that far more terrible sufferings endured by and inflicted upon woman, by a system which legalizes concubinage, and offers a premium to licentiousness. No one can read these pages without a feeling of horror, and a stronger determination arising in them to tear down the cursed system which makes such records possible. Wrath, the fiery messenger which goes flaming from the roused soul and overthrows in its divine fury the accursed tyrannies of earth; will find in these pages new fuel for the fire, and new force for the storm which shall overthrow and sweep from existence American slavery." ( Weekly Anglo-African, New York, N.Y., 13 April 1861)
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If you could sum up Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl in three words, what would they be?

INCREDIBLE - BRILLIANT - SAD

What did you like best about this story?

It is true

Which scene did you most enjoy?

None of the scenes are enjoyable - that's the point - to show you REALITY.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

OH YES! And I've listened twice.

Any additional comments?

Should be MANDATORY listening (and I believe it's suitable for) every high school child in the USA!

INCREDIBLE! BRILLIANT!

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I am not well versed with American history that is why this book is such an eye opener for me as to how grave and insidious slavery was. I came to know about this book because of Tim Ballard and his fight against modern slavery. It was such a great coincidence to stumble upon two great books.

A Glimpse in Humanity’s Dark History

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.