Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup

Narrated by: Hugh Quarshie

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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)

Excellent

Amazing story and performance . I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and do happy with the ending.

Skip the movie, listen to this instead

This is really fascinating listen about history, slavery and, frankly, human nature. I found it very thought provoking.

I listened to this before watching the movie. I watched one key scene from the movie and found it totally misrepresented. I can't watch the film, now.

Great book and what a sad truth of our American history

I'm grateful to have been raised in a free nation. How sad to hear an accurate depiction from a slaves point of view. Sadness, respect and reverence to our slave ancestors and those who helped abolish slavery.

Well worth listening to!

The narrator made me feel like I was listening to Solomon Northup tell his story. It is hard to stomach the treatment of those who were enslaved, at the same time, it is important to read narratives such as this.

12 years a Slave

This was an excellent listen!!!
Very captivating!!!and to listen, of the history of the horror that existed!!

Heart wrenching

Beautiful words, poetically captured, a story for the ages. I could not be more grateful or honored to have learned first hand the horrors of slavery.

A Heartbreaking Story

Great Narrator whose realistic depiction of slavery caused me much "horror & disgust" while reading.

vary interesting

I was interested from the beginning. the reader made me see things threw the eyes of it was. and also made me see it threw my ancestors as well. thank you for this one.

powerful

Only man's search for meaning has perhaps struck me as powerfully as this sad account of a kidnapped man. Slavery's full horror is shown in this book. Narrator is perfect too

Wonderful Historical Account of American Slavery

I’m an African American and will always be indebted to my forefathers who graciously endured the cruel chains of American slavery. Solomon’s story shows the horrific sin of people. I will be sharing accounts like this with my children and grandchildren, if God allows me to live. Listen to this clear account.