Publisher and Publication Date: Washington Square Press/Simon and Schuster. 2010. First published in 1861.
Genre: Autobiography, memoir.
Pages: 272.
Format: E-Book. Kindle copy.
Source: Fort Worth Public library.
Rating: Excellent.

Link for the book at Simon and Schuster.

Link for a free Kindle copy.

Several copies of the book are available at Thriftbooks.

At YouTube, a free audio reading of the book.

Summary:

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is the autobiography of Harriet Jacobs who also used the pen name Linda Brent.

She was born in 1813 in North Carolina. She was owned and willed to different people both men and women. One “mistress” taught her to read, write, and sew.

She wrote of her physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. She wrote of a doctor who desired her and would not give up. He obsessively pursues her through most of the story. She shares the stories of other slaves she knew.

After hiding for years in the south, Harriet escapes to the north, but it is not without its own problems to overcome.

My Thoughts:

I first heard about this book earlier this year from a Substack writer, Joel J. Miller. I’ve read other accounts of men and women who were slaves. The stories are sad and heartbreaking. They also make me angry.

Sometimes it is difficult for me to put into words how I feel about a story, and this is one of those types of stories. I want to go sit in a corner. I don’t want to talk to anyone. And to type words on a keyboard is difficult. I feel like I’ve been to a funeral. A somber occasion of lamenting. On the other hand, I’m thankful Harriet Jacobs has courageously and boldly shared her story. If it is not already, it should be required reading in schools.

Harriet’s life began in the early part of the 19th century. The north was safer than the slave states of the south. There were abolitionist efforts in the north. There were kind people who wanted to help the slaves make a new life in the north. Yet, the north harbored enemies of the slaves. There were those who would take them back to their previous owners in the south or at the least find them and turn them in.

I believe what impacted me the most in her story was the long experience (years) of the doctor who obsessively pursued her. He was like a ravenous wolf. He could not-would not tolerate her being gone out of his reach and control.

Several reasons why Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an important read:

1. It is the autobiography of Harriet Jacobs but also shares stories of other slaves.
2. Published stories of slaves were rare. They were especially rare pre-Civil War era.
3. Harriet expressed that, “slavery was a curse to the whites as well as to the blacks.” This is a statement that needs to be shouted from the roof top.
4. It shows the generational effect of slavery’s impact on their families, both the white owners and the slaves.
5. Christians are not Christians if they are not followers of Christ Jesus. Harriet understood this, but many in the white community did not.
6. The story shows the forbearance, bravery, courage, determination, and strength of those who were under the heavy yoke of slavery. It shows what they had to endure to escape.