Twelve Years a Slave  By  cover art

Twelve Years a Slave

By: Solomon Northup
Narrated by: Hugh Quarshie

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)

What listeners say about Twelve Years a Slave

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What an Experience

In mid-2013 I first saw the trailer for the movie Twelve Years a Slave and knew right away I wanted to see it. I've got to be honest I'd never heard of Solomon Northup nor his story. What I appreciated most about reading Twelve Years a Slave was it was the most honest telling of that time period I've ever read. The descriptions that Solomon had on being a slave, his masters, and his fellow slaves made you feel like you were back in the mid-1800's in the South,

What can I possibly say that hasn't already been said before. To me Twelve Years a Slave should be required reading for all students in America. It shows slavery through the eyes of a slave not something we have many first hand accounts of. I'm so glad I read Twelve Years a Slave and cannot wait to see the movie.

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Hugh Quarshie performance -- strongly recommended

After seeing the movie, I wanted to read or hear the book and had to decide which of several versions to go with. So glad I selected the Hugh Quarshie audible.com performance. I can't imagine a better reading. It felt as though I was hearing it straight from Soloman Northup, including some of the pronunciation nuances.

Believing this understanding should be part of every American's education, I have read a number of very enlightening slave narratives/histories. I do agree with another reviewer who said that Northrup's story, because it is told from the perspective of a free as well as enslaved man, is special and builds a helpful bridge that a 21st century free person can relate to. Normally I wouldn't say this, but I do recommend seeing the movie before reading the book. In this particular case, it enhanced my ability to "see" what was happening.

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Required reading

This book reads like a novel. The events depicted are raw and emotional. Just an inspiring effort written with con conviction. Maybe in the next life I can thank Solomon for this gift.

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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.

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Excellent

Better than the movie!!! Excellent ❤️this book should be added to the high school preferred reading list. Love this book

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SAD, SAD, SAD!

Where does Twelve Years a Slave rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a moving, gut-wrenching story. I absolutely cannot believe that one human could treat another as they did in this story! And in the name of a God, who is love! They must be in the darkest part of Hell today!

Would you ever listen to anything by Solomon Northup again?

Yes, definitely.

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

Easy to listen, too. Amazed that he can read the story without choking.

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It Will Make You Cringe

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed the description of the Christmas feast.

Any additional comments?

This book is a tremendous recounting that provides gruesome insight into the details of the tragedy of slave life. Anyone with a conscience should read this to remind them how terrible humankind can be when we fail to do what is clearly right.

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The best but hardest story to listen to

Where does Twelve Years a Slave rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's definitely in my top 10.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that this story is in Solomon's own words

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

No I haven't but he was amazing. The perfect voice

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

Yes. I had to know what happened and I basically did listen in one sitting. Thank goodness for 2x speed.

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Amazingly Eye Opening!

I absolutely loved it. Far better than the movie and was performed very well. Would recommend to anyone.

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Wonderful reading, important story

Wonderful reading of a gripping and important story. I wish I had read it years ago.

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