I received an advance reader copy of this book from Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review.

This book was an extremely intense read, particularly because all the events narrated have truly happened. For me, the idea that a free man could be so easily kidnapped and sold into slavery - where he remained for 12 whole years - is absolutely horrifying. And even more so because this can (and does) still happen today. One of the best features of this particular edition is that it contains an interactive guide to modern slavery, which draws parallels between Solomon Northup's story and the situation of modern slaves. Very eye-opening, to say the least. The only negative aspect is that parts of this guide are placed throughout the narrative, interrupting the flow of the story several times.

Solomon Northup's memoir is incredibly powerful, as he describes his 12 years of slavery in extreme detail, including several heart-breaking scenes of physical abuse. He is not afraid to acknowledge his own mistakes and fears, and relates the cruelty as well as the humanity of the people he meets, from his various masters to his fellow slaves. But even though he recognises the existence of "good masters", the whole memoir casts a strong judgment against the society that allowed slavery to exist in the first place:

There may be humane masters, as there certainly are inhuman ones - there may be slaves well-clothed, well-fed, and happy, as there surely are those half-clad, half-starved and miserable; nevertheless, the institution that tolerates such wrong and inhumanity as I have witnessed, is a cruel, unjust and barbarous one.

Although the narrative is sometimes very slow-paced, it is for the most part a really compelling read. Definitely recommended for anyone looking to learn more about slavery, past and present, and wishing to reflect on the ever-current theme of equality.

What difference is there in the color of the soul?

( )

Really good book in it's biographical retelling of Soloman Northups life and experience but I felt it lacked an emotional connection. In moments when the most horrendous wrong is being done I felt it purely because it was so wrong not as a result of the storytelling. The book is an academic recounting of salve life rather than a novel, which is fairness to the book and the writer is really what it was planned for. ( )

Considerado como uno de los mejores libros sobre el período histórico más oscuro de Estados Unidos, Doce años de esclavitud son las desgarradoras memorias que Solomon Northup, un afroamericano nacido como hombre libre en Nueva York, escribió después de pasar doce años en cautiverio. Northup cuenta cómo le engañaron, le drogaron y le secuestraron para venderlo como esclavo en Washington D.C., corría el año 1941. No importaba cuanto reclamara que se respetara su libertad ya que solo servía para que le castigaran con más violencia. Pronto se encontró en un barco de camino a la plantación de algodón de William Ford, su nuevo amo en Luisiana. Su familia no conocía su paradero.

For those who haven't seen the Oscar winning film, this is the true story of an educated successful African American man with a loving family and career in the Northeast who was absconded by men he felt trustworthy and sold into slavery in the south. It's a vivid recounting of the conditions and treatment slaves experienced as well as the lucrative business involved. What he experienced while in slavery was enlightening in many ways arming him with valuable insights for his future. Having been educated and raised in the North, the author takes care in articulating the first person narrative with college level prose keeping the reader engaged. As to the film, its an accurate adaptation in all ways and for those who read the book will find it welcome. This can only be labeled 'sad but true' and is revealing in many ways especially in light of today's separatist issues. ( )

Like most people who read this in the past 10 years, I saw the movie and only now picked up the book, something I’ve been meaning to do for years. As someone too late in the college game to properly study American folk cultures, I find a lot of interest in slave narratives, and this one was very solid, moving, but somehow challenging.

Something that really struck me while reading this was historical relativism. Solomon abhors slavery, but still finds it in himself to somewhat excuse the character of his first owner by emphasizing the good christianity of the man. Later, the avid abolitionist who helps secure his freedom by risking all laws to travel across the country to ensure that comfortably uses the n-word. This was one of those authentic old-timey first person pov stories that made me realize how damn different the past was, especially morally.

I’m so glad Solomon was able to be freed and then be able to write about it and publish it. It is all so powerful and sobering. The song he transcribed at the end was ❤️ ( )