Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself by Harriet Jacobs

8 reviews

tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

An important chronicle of the horrors enslaved people in the US endured and the lengths some of them had to go to to secure the freedom that should have been theirs all along.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child death, Grief, Classism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Animal death, Terminal illness, Blood, and Pregnancy

vallenci's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

This title brought me to tears. There were moments when I had to take a mental break due to the description of the atrocities that happened to predominately Black women during this sinful period. Strong emotions held by desperation was expressed in every chapter. Her story thankfully ended on a satisfying note. It left me feeling strong; as in no matter how battling life can get, faith can still be found. (Hope I explained this correctly.) It is extremely advised to want to mentally prepare yourself before reading this book, especially if you identify as a black woman. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Ableism, Abortion, Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Deportation, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Confinement, Hate crime, Infertility, Mass/school shootings, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Stalking, Antisemitism, Body horror, Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Vomit, War, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Child death, Dysphoria, Genocide, Incest, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Abandonment

xjr's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I recommend the Oxford edition for informative annotations, some essays and some writings of Harriet's brother. 

The pace of the book is brisk and easy, unlike its content and my actual reading pace. 

This biographical fiction story contains many slave narrative tropes, but brings new light too. More introspection, a look into the sexual abuse of both men and women, a critical look into religion and the complications of being a mixed black woman with children. In all this darkness we still see hope for Linda doesn't only meet the worst of the worst but also some great people.

I see some claim that her editor L. Maria Child influences the story, but if Jacobs wasn't clever enough to write this I don't think she would have even been able to reach freedom like she did. I think the claim the text is only trimmed by her holds true.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Slavery

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

paisleypetty's review

dark inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, Confinement, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Torture, and Violence

lukebryan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is an absolutely incredible autobiography that is utterly essential reading. Harriet Jacobs' narration displays very clearly the awful abuses that she endures while trapped within and adjacent to the systems of slavery, as the focus is both on the wider and narrower horrors. This is an immensely emotional read, not only due to the gory descriptions of what she had to endure, but also the hopeful aspect of her escapes, including the focus on familial ties that keeps Harriet (Linda in the book) going. There is no dull page within this autobiography, and even though I may not reread it, it is in my head all of the time. Please read this.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Violence

lexarobinson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

A harrowing, incredible autobiography of a woman you cannot help but be in awe of. Jacobs (under the pseudonym Linda Brent) writes in a completely unmitigated light: her work is a harsh, moving recollection of the abhorrent realities of slavery. I doubt I will ever be able to read it again, but its content shall stay with me for a very long time - in short, it is an absolute must read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual violence, Violence, Slavery, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

mercutiyolo's review against another edition

5.0

5/5

Read for a 19th-Century American Novel course.

This novel details the life of Harriet Jacobs, though referred to as Linda Brent throughout, and her experiences as an enslaved Black woman in the American South. It is unflinching, and I believe necessary reading.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Slavery, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Hate crime, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual violence

scottishclaire's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Racial slurs, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Trafficking

Moderate: Sexual assault