tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

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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.

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vallenci's review against another edition

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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. 

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emdear's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

4.5


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jaymepem's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0


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antonique_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0


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tyrannosaurus_lex's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This book should be required reading when teaching American history in schools. 

A straightforward, heart wrenching account of one person’s lifelong attempt to escape the horrors of slavery, and the continued prejudices she encountered beyond. 

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paisleypetty's review

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dark inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0


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kathryngardyne's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.0


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lukebryan's review against another edition

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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.

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lexarobinson's review against another edition

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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. 

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