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alisarae's review against another edition
What a fantastic book. I can't believe I put off reading it until now, but I always have trouble finishing books with written accents. The audiobook is a perfect solution to this (complete with singing the various hymns!).
It is a biting cause of self reflection that so many attitudes and hypocrisies in the American church at that time are still true today. Humans are hypocrites now and forever, I suppose. With regards to this, Augustine St. Claire is my hands down favorite character in the book, maybe even one of my all time favorites. His deadpan honesty about human behavior is better than your average Sunday sermon in causing effective soul searching. Too bad more people aren't as honest with themselves about their motives and doubts as he is.
It is a biting cause of self reflection that so many attitudes and hypocrisies in the American church at that time are still true today. Humans are hypocrites now and forever, I suppose. With regards to this, Augustine St. Claire is my hands down favorite character in the book, maybe even one of my all time favorites. His deadpan honesty about human behavior is better than your average Sunday sermon in causing effective soul searching. Too bad more people aren't as honest with themselves about their motives and doubts as he is.
zttoklu's review against another edition
2.0
It’s definitely a historically valuable book for it’s abolitionist initiative. But from the perspective of a modern day reader, the way every aspect of this novel screams white savior complex made me uncomfortable.
byjovie_'s review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kessler21's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to read this book in connection with my Journey through the US Presidents as Uncle Tom's Cabin was mentions several times in regard to the Pre-Civil War temperament.
Uncle Tom's Cabin is extremely complex and has been dissected, argued, revered, and debated many, many times.
Historical Context
The book is extremely important from a historical context as it was written in response to the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It helped ignite active abolitionist support in the North and deepened fissures with the South. Sometimes considered the first Best Seller, Uncle Tom's Cabin was widely read in the United States and Britian as well as Stowe's follow up book "A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" which gave sources and accounts of the information she drew from.
As a Novel
The writing is not an easy read as the writing and speaking is different than today. Many parts of the book are slow and the story is much longer than I anticipated.
Cultural Significance
Much has been made of the stereotypes portrayed in the book, as well as those perpetuated in adaptations. Being an Uncle Tom has become an insult in the black community. Stowe did apparently have her own prejudices, as she did believe in Colonization over harmonious living between races, however, she did promote slavery and the mistreatment of humans as contrary to Christian teachings.
Themes
Religion is a huge theme, as the black and white characters alike are shown to be ignorant, dumb, and bad without God, but once accepting God, are mild and humble and meek.
Though women's rights is not pushed in the book, the abilities and intelligence and influence of women is a strong theme.
Sacrifice for a greater good. Tom is not subservient for the sake of subservience. He sacrifices himself for his family, other slaves, and for his own morality. At the same time, Stowe brings into question several times if it's okay to break the laws for what is right. I feel her answer to this is yes as long as it does not hurt others.
Stowe condemns violence, even against evil unless no other options is available, and even then, it is measured and only what is necessary. Goodness is nonviolent and peaceable.
Stowe attacks the south and ungodly people with laziness.
Overview
Despite being a difficult read, I loved the stand that someone took in the 1850s for what is right. How she unabashedly called out the whole country, those in the North and the South, for injustice. Is it perfect? No. But it helped is largely influential for heading towards the Civil War and not allowing a compromise on slavery.
Uncle Tom's Cabin is extremely complex and has been dissected, argued, revered, and debated many, many times.
Historical Context
The book is extremely important from a historical context as it was written in response to the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It helped ignite active abolitionist support in the North and deepened fissures with the South. Sometimes considered the first Best Seller, Uncle Tom's Cabin was widely read in the United States and Britian as well as Stowe's follow up book "A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" which gave sources and accounts of the information she drew from.
As a Novel
The writing is not an easy read as the writing and speaking is different than today. Many parts of the book are slow and the story is much longer than I anticipated.
Cultural Significance
Much has been made of the stereotypes portrayed in the book, as well as those perpetuated in adaptations. Being an Uncle Tom has become an insult in the black community. Stowe did apparently have her own prejudices, as she did believe in Colonization over harmonious living between races, however, she did promote slavery and the mistreatment of humans as contrary to Christian teachings.
Themes
Religion is a huge theme, as the black and white characters alike are shown to be ignorant, dumb, and bad without God, but once accepting God, are mild and humble and meek.
Though women's rights is not pushed in the book, the abilities and intelligence and influence of women is a strong theme.
Sacrifice for a greater good. Tom is not subservient for the sake of subservience. He sacrifices himself for his family, other slaves, and for his own morality. At the same time, Stowe brings into question several times if it's okay to break the laws for what is right. I feel her answer to this is yes as long as it does not hurt others.
Stowe condemns violence, even against evil unless no other options is available, and even then, it is measured and only what is necessary. Goodness is nonviolent and peaceable.
Stowe attacks the south and ungodly people with laziness.
Overview
Despite being a difficult read, I loved the stand that someone took in the 1850s for what is right. How she unabashedly called out the whole country, those in the North and the South, for injustice. Is it perfect? No. But it helped is largely influential for heading towards the Civil War and not allowing a compromise on slavery.
michaelpdonley's review against another edition
5.0
While the language can make one cringe in 2015 because of some of the stereotypes, I marvel at how revolutionary it must've been when it came out in 1852, while slavery was in full swing in America. For an author of her day to shine harsh light on the horrors of slavery was brave, and it had a part in changing history. Added point of interest: Harriet Beecher Stowe is a distant relative of mine!
burningupasun's review against another edition
3.0
I feel as though this book is hard to rate. If I were to rate it just on the thoughts of someone who enjoys reading and likes to get lost in a good book and a great story, it would have a much lower score. However, if I rated it as someone who enjoyed the deeper meanings in the story, relished the symbolism, and is aware of the importance of this book in history, then it would get a higher score... which is, I think, how it ended up with 3/5 stars, aka about average. I'd have done 2 1/2 if I can, but you work with what you're given, I suppose. On a whole, I didn't love this book (though I loved parts, especially at the end), and I didn't hate it (though parts of it drove me nuts, especially the overabundance of religion and the writing out of accents). The second half of the book was far better than the first, in my opinion. It's a worthy read just for the variety of lifestyles and characters covered, even if the writing style makes it slow going.
astallbaumer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
safiyamreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0