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Twelve Years a Slave

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Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup
Narrated by: Hugh Quarshie
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About this listen

Hugh Quarshie reads the extraordinary autobiography of Solomon Northup. His harrowing true story, first published in 1853, was a key factor in the national debate over slavery prior to the American Civil War, significantly changing public opinion on the topic of abolition. It tells the horrifying tale of Solomon Northup, an educated, free black man living with his wife and children in New York State, whose life takes an appalling turn when he is kidnapped, drugged and sold into slavery.

Shipped to New Orleans, he endures the life of a slave in Louisiana's isolated plantation country. For twelve long years, he endures the unimaginable brutality and inhumanity of daily life, while keeping his dignity intact and dreaming of one day returning home to the arms of his family.

Twelve Years a Slave is soon to be a major motion picture, starring Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender.

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Critic Reviews

  • 10 Best Audiobooks of 2013 (Salon)

    • "The resurgent interest in '12 Years a Slave' has everything to do with Steve McQueen's masterful film adaptation, but the book has more to offer than the movie, and the Ghanian-British stage actor Hugh Quarshie's conversational delivery stands out among a slew of newly released competing audiobook adaptations." (Kyle Minor, Salon)
"A moving, vital testament to one of slavery s many thousands gone who retained his humanity in the bowels of degradation. It is also a chilling insight into the peculiar institution.” ( Saturday Review Online)
All stars
Most relevant  
Heart breaking and amazing story in equal measure. Glad this story has been told.

Amazing

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This book was written beautifully and explained everything in such fantastic detail that you can imagine everything as you listen the narrator has the perfect voice and accent and I learned a great deal about that time from Solomon's experiences.

amazing

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Narrator has a lovely silky voice. The images created from the words, set you right in the middle of the cotton fields.

Fantastic

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Brilliant writing and narration. Such a horrific story. Everyone should read this book. The cruelty of humanity is beyond comprehension.

Amazing

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I mainly listen while driving. This book forced me to stop and pullover. Changes me.

Heart-rending story.

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I have seen the movie and now listened to the book, both of them upset me greatly. Harrowing Stories of such brutality that it was deeply upsetting to listen to, this poor mans plight and many others that suffered at the hands of these evil slave traders.
This is a must read, listen and watch all of us should know what happen here. Slavery is an evil that no human should have ever had to endure.
Brilliantly written and beautiful spoken by Hugh Quarshie.

Harrowing Story

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely. This harrowing yet most eloquently told story is essential reading/listening for all. It is compelling, horrific, sad and yet uplifting. It is also an education, a really necessary one.

What other book might you compare Twelve Years a Slave to, and why?

I can't compare this to anything else.

Which character – as performed by Hugh Quarshie – was your favourite?

Solomon Northup is the story and so it follows that his strength of character and recounting of his ordeal makes him my favourite.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried hard at the end, so glad was I that he escaped the hell he was living. I cried for the years he and his family lost and also that he couldn't free all the pour souls he was imprisoned with.

Any additional comments?

I read this after seeing the movie. Normally that doesn't work for me, it's better the other way around but in this case, I believe it helps to have seen the movie first. It makes you better able to envision it all. The narrator, Hugh Quarshie is superb. Highly recommended. I think everyone should listen to this, so they know and hopefully can learn.

Everyone needs to know this story.

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Since the movie, I have always wanted to read 12 Years a Slave. This book depicts a horrendous time in human history. However it is beautifully written by Solomon Northup. This audio book is also wonderfully narrated and fully immerses you in the experience of Solomon. Hugh Quarshie did a wonderful job.

Terrible circumstances, but beautifully read

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Truly heartbreaking story of what Solomon went through. Excellent performance from the reader. Highly recommend reading this book.

Heartbreaking and informative

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OMG what a truly moving and unforgettable story. l lived every moment of it and felt like I was there watching it unfold in all its horrendous deeds right to the conclusion.

BREATHTAKING

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