Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

By: Harriet Jacobs

Narrated by: Audio Élan

Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography, written under the pseudonym Linda Brent, details her experiences as a slave in North Carolina, her escape to freedom in the north, and her ensuing struggles to free her children. The narrative was partly serialized in the New York Tribune, but was discontinued because Jacobs’ depictions of the sexual abuse of female slaves were considered too shocking. It was published in book form in 1861.

©1861 Public Domain (P)2012 Cherry Hill Publishing

Critic reviews

"In such volumes as this, the true romance of American life and history is to be found. Patient suffering, heroic daring, untiring zeal, perseverance seemingly unparalleled, and growth from surroundings of degradation and ignorance to education, refinement, and power: all find in these modest pages their simple, yet affecting narrative. It is the "oft told tale" of American slavery, in another and more revolting phase than that which is generally seen. More revolting because it is of the spirit and not the flesh. In this volume, a woman tells in words of fire, yet never overstepping the bounds of the truest purity, not, how she was scourged and maimed, but that far more terrible sufferings endured by and inflicted upon woman, by a system which legalizes concubinage, and offers a premium to licentiousness. No one can read these pages without a feeling of horror, and a stronger determination arising in them to tear down the cursed system which makes such records possible. Wrath, the fiery messenger which goes flaming from the roused soul and overthrows in its divine fury the accursed tyrannies of earth; will find in these pages new fuel for the fire, and new force for the storm which shall overthrow and sweep from existence American slavery." ( Weekly Anglo-African, New York, N.Y., 13 April 1861)

Captivating, earnest, heartwrenching, triumphant!

I trembled, screamed, yelled, cried, and cheered while listening to this NON-fake, darkly shameful, account. A former slave girl/woman enlightens us about the TRUE the history of America. Great narrator voice!

A valuable read!

This narrative brought to life the struggles and strength of our African American ancestors. Their struggles and strength to escape a cruel life in slavery. The beatings, murder and separation of family and friends as a means of control of the slave is abhorrent and the ramifications are still present today.

Accounts and Impact of a Diabolical Institution

Excellent eyewitness account of slavery. The author blends the social, economic, familial and even political impact of the diabolical business of selling and owning human beings.

Shocking!!

Excellent reading of a very sad and shocking autobiography of treatment of author and blacks!

Riveting peace of African American Literature

What made the experience of listening to Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the way that the narrator told the story, it made me feel as though I was experiencing the history of slavery in a whole new light of what I was taught and learned about slavery in High School and the Telemedia of today.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Linda Brent (Harriet Jacobs), because she endured so much hardship and pain at such young age; and prevailed to the very end of her freedom from the hand of slavery.

What does Audio Élan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The depth and the intensity of the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Linda Brent stood her ground against Dr. Flint

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this novel to others.

A bit hard to follow at times

If you could sum up Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl in three words, what would they be?

It was a very intriguing story. It was hard to follow --past the middle --at times.

Powerful and touching story of perseverance

The most powerful story of human perseverance and triumph through the eyes of a slave. Most of extreme human brutality and a women’s struggle to survive. A memorable and addictive read.

Great book!

If you could sum up Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, insightful, disturbing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl?

When the narrator describes the slave woman who is tied up by her thumbs and whipped to death.

Have you listened to any of Audio Élan’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't. I didn't find her narration very interesting. It actually hurt the story rather than helped it. Eventually I finished the audio book but not without a struggle as I found her voice to be very annoying.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book moved me.

Any additional comments?

Great read! Wish the narrator was different. But I loved the story nonetheless.

A Necessary Read for Today's Trials

Words can't express how important this narrative is. Everyone must read this tragic yet beautiful true story.

If u are indifferent to the reality of slavery, this is not for you

the author was not a field hand, but the daughter of a free black man and slave mother. As such she followed the legal condition of her mother into slavery. But her relatively privileged position as a house slave enabled her to read and give eloquent and passionate expression to the myriad subtle and brutal spirit-crushing realities carelessly taken for granted by her “superior” white masters. The stark and devastating assault on slave family relations through that “peculiar institution,” the terrible vulnerability os slave girls and women in particular, is explored from many angels. The book is filled with ironic passages revealing both the unconscious and inescapable recognition of slaves humanity by their masters, whose psychological rot and brutality is flimsily rationalized in terms of property rights. The author’s indomitable spirit and intellect enabled her to escape bondage along with her children and with the greatly appreciated aid of the defiance and courageous of both races. Should be mandatory reading if u have any interest in US history.