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A review by xjr
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs
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.
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: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment