A review by ed_moore
The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings by Olaudah Equiano

challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

2.75

I would say that Olaudah Equiano’s ‘The Interesting Narrative’ does in fact live up to its title claim to be ‘interesting’, whereas this is to an extent. The book is the autobiography of the ex-slave, sailor and abolitionist Equiano, and provides a first hand account of the horrors of the institution of slavery. A recount of his time enslaved, of which the first third of the narrative documented, was both haunting and interesting, whereas following Equiano purchasing his freedom it becomes a repetitive recount of various trips on boats with little avail in tandem with repeated Christian preaching to the reader. Despite this, it cannot be denied that Equiano’s lifetime and achievements, given his context and atrocious circumstances, is utterly inspiring. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Trafficking, and Kidnapping