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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.

©2013 AudioGO Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

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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