Twelve Years a Slave Audiobook By Solomon Northup cover art

Twelve Years a Slave

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Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup
Narrated by: Richard Allen
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12 Years a Slave is the harrowing account of a Black man, born free in New York State, who was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in 1841. Having no way to contact his family, and fearing for his life if he told the truth, Solomon Northup was sold from plantation to plantation in Louisiana, toiling under cruel masters for 12 years before meeting Samuel Bass, a Canadian who finally put him in touch with his family, and helped start the process to regain his freedom. This extraordinary text is the basis for the major motion picture starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Public Domain (P)2013 Dreamscape Media, LLC African American African American Studies Americas Black & African American Cultural & Regional Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Specific Demographics State & Local United States
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Would you consider the audio edition of Twelve Years a Slave to be better than the print version?

Absolutely not. In addition to the disastrous narration, the printed versions have supplemental materials that greatly enhance the work.

What did you like best about this story?

Condensing an enormous problem into a personal story.

How could the performance have been better?

The narration could have drawn the reader into the story and scenes therein, rather than making the reader feel as if he/she were a member of an audience or congregation listening to a speech or sermon being delivered.

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

Start to finish, to tell you the truth.

Any additional comments?

Pick up the book, and enjoy it 10x as much.

Very important narrative undermined by the narrato

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What did you love best about Twelve Years a Slave?

The story is gripping. The narrator brings it to life.

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

Marvelous voice for the main character

Narrator, Richard Allen, Excellent

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Words that did not require a dictionary or not having to wait until the whole sentence or paragraph was read to know exactly what the author was talking about.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Did not finish the book

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Allen’s performances?

No

What character would you cut from Twelve Years a Slave?

Did not finish the book.

Dictionary

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