Harriet A. Jacobs

Incidents in the life of a slave girl

Harriet Jacobs

"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" is an autobiography by a young mother and fugitive slave Harriet Ann Jacobs. Jacobs contributed to the genre of slave narrative by using the techniques of sentimental novels "to address race and gender issues." She explores the struggles and sexual abuse that female slaves faced on plantations as well as their efforts to practice motherhood and protect their children when their children might be sold away. Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813 – 1897) was an African-American writer who escaped from slavery and was later freed. She became an abolitionist speaker and reformer.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

This is quite the book for 1861. If you are looking for a book where there is the worst physical abuse you can imagine, skip this, but if you are looking for one very realistic non-fiction telling by a former a slave by a former slave who recounted things to be published, then this is for you. Don't let my comment fool you--there was nothing okay about her slavery and she was not kindly treated or coddled even if she wasn't beaten to within an inch of her life. There are many ways to humiliate and belittle a slave. Also, she spent 7 years in hiding in a small space after escaping.

One of the many things captured here, is the complicated problems involving a lecherous slave master and his jealous, hateful wife, even if the wife manages to prevent rape. There is a good discussion of this here, and in other places. No, this isn't an exhaustive discussion, but one of the points I thought rather interesting was when she compared what happened when a Northern woman after slavery was made illegal there married a Southerner vs when a Southern one did. 

The blurb here tells you a lot, but not enough to spoil the book for you. In the book she uses one of her pen names, Linda Brent.

Karin

This is quite the book for 1861. If you are looking for a book where there is the worst physical abuse you can imagine, skip this, but if you are looking for one very realistic non-fiction telling by a former a slave by a former slave who recounted things to be published, then this is for you. Don't let my comment fool you--there was nothing okay about her slavery and she was not kindly treated or coddled even if she wasn't beaten to within an inch of her life. There are many ways to humiliate and belittle a slave. Also, she spent 7 years in hiding in a small space after escaping.

One of the many things captured here, is the complicated problems involving a lecherous slave master and his jealous, hateful wife, even if the wife manages to prevent rape. There is a good discussion of this here, and in other places. No, this isn't an exhaustive discussion, but one of the points I thought rather interesting was when she compared what happened when a Northern woman after slavery was made illegal there married a Southerner vs when a Southern one did. 

The blurb here tells you a lot, but not enough to spoil the book for you. In the book she uses one of her pen names, Linda Brent.

This autobiographical account by a former slave is one of the few extant narratives written by a woman. Written and published in 1861, it delivers a powerful portrayal of the brutality of slave life. Jacobs speaks frankly of her master's abuse and her eventual escape, in a tale of dauntless spirit and faith.

Reading this book and knowing that things have happened is just heart breaking. Such a good read about slavery that they don't tell you in history books.

Giovanna

Jeni Enjaian

A review from my old blog...

I found myself strangely fascinated by this book. I have read a Dear America book, a diary of a slave girl, very similar to this book but this account is purported to be true. Disclaimer: I am not claiming that the facts of this book are false, only that we as humans are prone to exaggerate and Ms. Jacobs may have exaggerated or otherwise alter the facts. Since I did not live at that time or live her life I do not know. 

Jacobs' writing style threw me a little. She did not always give information as an author of a novel would but she was writing her memoirs or autobiography... whichever word you choose. She never out right mentioned who the father of her children was and I found myself flipping the pages back to try and figure out but perhaps I either skimmed over that information without realizing it or she did in fact never out right mention the name or identity.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and wish to own it. I believe that it would make an excellent addition to my library of historical books.

Raya 

"I dreaded the approach of summer, when snakes and slaveholders make their appearance" 

Even though the writing style of this short autobiographical account significantly slackened my reading pace, I still loved this book. 
I don't need to mention that it is sad, but there is a nerve of hope running through it. I can see myself reading it again in future.

Vanessa

hyun

Heather 

Jasmine Buluran

Laura Wade

Lindy

shelby mosel

Naomi

April

Matthew Royal

Amit kumar

Clare B

brynn

Courtney Gendreau

Harriet Ann Jacobs

This vintage book contains Harriet Ann Jacobs' 1861 autobiography, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl". It chronicles Jacobs' life as a female slave and documents how she attained freedom both for herself and for her children. Within this volume she explores the life of female slaves on plantations, the abuse and hardships that they had to endure, and their desperate efforts to protect their children. "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" represents an authentic insight into the lives of female slaves in pre-emancipation America and is highly recommended for those with an interest in American history. Read & Co. History are republishing this memoir now in a new edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction.

Incidents in the life of a slave girl

Reviews