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Twelve Years a Slave

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Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup
Narrated by: Hugh Quarshie
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About this listen

Hugh Quarshie reads the extraordinary autobiography of Solomon Northup. His harrowing true story, first published in 1853, was a key factor in the national debate over slavery prior to the American Civil War, significantly changing public opinion on the topic of abolition. It tells the horrifying tale of Solomon Northup, an educated, free black man living with his wife and children in New York State, whose life takes an appalling turn when he is kidnapped, drugged and sold into slavery.

Shipped to New Orleans, he endures the life of a slave in Louisiana's isolated plantation country. For twelve long years, he endures the unimaginable brutality and inhumanity of daily life, while keeping his dignity intact and dreaming of one day returning home to the arms of his family.

Twelve Years a Slave is soon to be a major motion picture, starring Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender.

©2013 AudioGO Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

  • 10 Best Audiobooks of 2013 (Salon)

    • "The resurgent interest in '12 Years a Slave' has everything to do with Steve McQueen's masterful film adaptation, but the book has more to offer than the movie, and the Ghanian-British stage actor Hugh Quarshie's conversational delivery stands out among a slew of newly released competing audiobook adaptations." (Kyle Minor, Salon)
"A moving, vital testament to one of slavery s many thousands gone who retained his humanity in the bowels of degradation. It is also a chilling insight into the peculiar institution.” ( Saturday Review Online)
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A beautifully read story of Solomon Northup that grips the reader from the very start. The characters were so well described that I could visualise them and the scenes clearly. I am glad it was made into a movie too as it is important that the harsh history of slavery reaches as many people as possible. In the current times, we often forget the fights that happened for us to enjoy freedom. We need to be constantly reminded.

Powerful story that everyone should hear

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Would you listen to Twelve Years a Slave again? Why?

An amazing book that makes you realise how fortunate in life you are and not to take things for granted. The book is of course much better than the film!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Twelve Years a Slave?

Patsy's beating for such a trivial matter

Have you listened to any of Hugh Quarshie’s other performances? How does this one compare?

First time

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it going to bed and listened to it several times. It's a very emotional subject.

12 years of hell

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When starting to read this book I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to understand a lot of it, being English my second language and this having been written so long ago. I was wrong.

I have to say this is the best written book I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Everything is beautifully phrased. Concise, powerful, easily understandable. Amazing.

The story is extremely moving and relevant even to this day

My new favourite book

Amazing

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For some reason this film never appealed to me, but I’m thoroughly glad I listened to this audio book. Extremely well written and narrated.

Brings to life the harrowing experience of those subjected to the slave trade, yet also inspiring to know that someone can go through all that cruelty and survive with dignity, to see freedom, and as a well educated man be able to write about his experience to ensure it is not lost from mankind’s unsavoury history.

Never watched the film but I will now

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A truly harrowing insight but a must read/listen.
Written in beautiful language and skilful turn of phrase. Narration read with heart.

A truly harrowing insight

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If you liked the film then this fills in a bit of the story, but also shows how good a film it was.
Its a abhorrent story told brilliantly of a persons journey through the slave trade. It is truly baffling how humans ever believed it was their right to hold another person as a slave, and did so without guilt or empathy.
Would definitely recommend.

Great story and narration was fantastic

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I was extremely impressed with this audiobook. The quality of the reading is great, as is the shocking story.

Amazing reading

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This detailed, factual account of slavery should be compulsory reading on every school curriculum. It is both deeply moving and informative as well as being exceptionally well written. I strongly recommend the audio version narrated by Hugh Quarshie

Should be compulsory reading on every curriculm

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Brilliant, touching and to the point. The story telling is masterful and gives grace and dignity to this true story of a life stolen by evil evil men during an evil time in world history.

A personalised story of life as a slave.

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A soul crushing, uplifting story.
Hugh quarshie......brilliant narrative.
A truly inspirational book. Read or listen to it today!

will make you have every emotion possible.

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