Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself cover art

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself

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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself

By: Harriet Ann Jacobs
Narrated by: Jean Barrett
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About this listen

One of the first personal narratives written by an ex-slave, this is also one of the few written by a woman. Harriet Jacobs (1813-97) was enslaved, along with her family, in North Carolina under a ruthless master who sexually harassed her. After several failed escape attempts, and several years of hiding, she finally made her way North to freedom, where she was eventually reunited with her children. The book was published in 1861.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Americas Cultural & Regional Inspiring

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Editor reviews

Literate Harriet Jacobs escaped from slavery after many tries, finally freeing herself of a cruel, sexually abusive master. Jacobs survived to write and expose the horrors of life in slavery. Her autobiography substantiates the abuse endured by female slaves. Jacobs writes about her past with an almost academic detachment. Having survived she evolves into a historian, bent on accurately recording the damning truth for the purpose of social indictment. Narrator Jean Barrett’s calm conversational tone matches Jacobs’ understated language. Just like Jacobs, Barrett sounds educated and self-possessed. There is subdued passion in her voice, but no hysteria. Barrett’s precise speech and ironically polite oration underscores the miserable details of what Jacobs endured and triumphed over.

Critic reviews

"One of the major autobiographies of the African American tradition." (Henry Louis Gates, Jr.)
"Harriet Jacobs in her narrative reveals how she refused to be victimized within her own mind, but rather chose to act instead from a steadfast conviction of her own worth.... Hers is an example worth emulating even in these modern times." (Louise Meriwether)
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The reading was excellent. The narrator engaged well with the content of the text and the mood of the piece.

Very well read.

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It's hard to put into words how I felt listening to this book. Quite harrowing in places but she does not over dwell on the many horrors bestowed on people in the same position as she. She was obviously a very driven girl to experience all she went through and still have the inner strength to carry on. For her to relive her life story, through her own words, be made into this book must have taken great strength. At times I felt I was there it was so detailed. She was courageous, strong willed and did not deserve to live even one day of her harrowing life. An amazing, emotional and thought provoking read. It left me feeling quite numb.

Makes you think!

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Informative book about slavery from the perspective of a female slave.
it was hard to read at the beginning but became better after the first few chapters.

Informative and brave.

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