Book Review: Twelve Years a Slave

An unexpected, excellent book that should be required high school reading is Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. I have read Uncle Tom's Cabin, which is actually mentioned in Twelve Years a Slave. It was a fantastic book, but a fictional account. Because of that, this book is so superior. Northup tells of what actually happened to him. What he personally experienced. 

It is the life a man born in the state of New York before the Civil War. He sought to make a reasonable life for himself and his family. They were respected in their community and Northup was admired for his talent as a violinist. He was hired to go on a short tour as a violinist with a circus. This new and exciting journey brought him to Washington D.C., where he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. So began the experiences of Solomon Northup with slavery in the Deep South. It is fresh, honest, and insightful. He sees both perspectives - the slave and the freedman. He sympathizes with the man trying to make a living in the South. He shows respect even fondness to the master who treated him with kindness and disdain for the men who broke and beat him. He shows incredible forgiveness and faith in the darkest times. He demonstrates unbiased humanity in a time that is truly impossible to understand. 

I am seriously considering making this required reading for my older students. Move over Uncle Tom's Cabin!

As far as purchasing the book, I bought the Kindle version pictured to the right. It is 99-cents on Amazon and includes five other popular biographies. I haven't read four of the five, but look forward to reading them in the future. This was certainly worth the money. 

In Reference to the Movie

I was so leery about reading this book because of the movie. The content (from what I understand) of the R-rated movie is something that I would not allow in my home, and I have heard that the book and movie are impressively similar. I cannot speak for the movie. I have never seen it. 

For the Parents

This is a realistic description of slavery, the gang system, and the abuse of a slave master toward a slave. I found it horrible, but again realistic - not the excessive violence of today. As far as language, if you have read the popular Uncle Tom's Cabin you are familiar with what to expect. Yes, it is offensive. I am offended that my fellow countrymen had no regard for my fellow countrymen, and felt that they had a right to speak to them in such a way. But I wouldn't avoid this book because of it.