Twelve Years a Slave

Includes Interviews of Former Slaves and Illustrations

By: Solomon Northup

Narrated by: William Butler

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Listen to the book that will soon become an Oscar Nominated movie this Fall. In addition to the original book by Solomon Northop, included in this book are interviews with former slaves. They tell us in their own words what their daily lives were like as they worked in the fields and kitchens of the southern slave holders. Rarely seen images of slavery are also included.You will come away with a very comprehensive outlook on slavery in North America.

Twelve Years a Slave tells the amazing story of a free Black man who in 1841 is taken away from his family and sold into slavery in the deep south of the United States. Solomon Northop takes us with him on his most unfortunate Journey through the days of slavery. A journey no human being should ever endure. We feel his pain as he wakes up with his arms and legs bound in the chains of slavery. Will he ever get to see his wife or hold his children in his arms again?

Included in this book are interviews with former slaves. They tell us in thier own words what thier daily lives were like as they worked in the fields and kitchens of the southern slave holders. Rarely seen images of slavery are also included.

©2013 EarlEdwards (P)2013 Earl Edwards

Needs a different narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great story, but the reader was awful. Often made the story line hard to follow

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

Great

How could the performance have been better?

Great book, but needs a different narrator

Should have picked another narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No, The story is available in several different versions. I would suggest to a friend that they pick another narrator. The story was great. So, I would absolutely suggest the book itself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Solomon, the author. I really loved that his main objective was to give the reader an insiders view of slavery. Hollywood tends to glamorize slavery and blunt the horrors of the institution, but Solomon's honest account makes it clear that it was not so.

What didn’t you like about William Butler’s performance?

I liked his voice and it would have been so much more enjoyable if he didn't mispronounce so many words. Solomon was a very educated man and went through so much to be able to put this book in the annals of history. It is a justice to him to pronounce the words as he intended and to read his work without pausing because you have no idea what the next word is. There are too many long pauses (obvious confusion). The editor was no help to this reader. A good editor should have caught all of this. Are there editors for audio versions of books? Also, there is a pivotal part in the end that was cut out completely! I had to buy the book so that I could read it.

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

None more than any other. The book captivated me from start to finish. I'm so glad I've read it.

Any additional comments?

Only to suggest that everyone should buy the book, but there are several different versions out there, so pick a different reader.

The truth of our past

This was so hard to hear. It explains a ton in our American culture. I kept asking how can I make a difference...one person, one voice. The change starts with me.

Skipped sections

The voice actors inflection did not always match the situation. Poor editing made obvious when two separate readings were being cut together. Most significantly, there are several portions of the story that simply jump ahead. This was very frustrating because it happened at several critical moments. There are several sections that I don't know what happened. This greatly took away from the overall experience. The story itself was excellent.

Choppy narration

Would you try another book from Solomon Northup and/or William Butler?

Definitely the author, but not the narrator...I hate to share this opinion but did the narrator ever see the material before the recording? I chose the narrator hoping to feel the senses of a wounded soul who was subject to such injustice. Instead I found myself being so distracted by the improper placement of periods and commas, and even mispronunciation of some words, it took a lot of pleasure out of the listening. I listened for a while and quit, then tried again, and quit, and finally wanted to hear the story so I listened. It's as if the reader never saw the material before...while I never want to insult someone who agrees to do this for an author, did no one listen to this before releasing it? Impossible to not be distracted from the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Uh....the man who came who eventually orchestrated the connections for freedom.

How could the performance have been better?

different narrator

What character would you cut from Twelve Years a Slave?

None that occurs to me.

Any additional comments?

I would like to hear it again by a different narrator.

Disappointed by this reader.

What disappointed you about Twelve Years a Slave?

The book is a wonderful document, and I found it fascinating. But the reader was so poor as to be a distraction that I couldn't overcome.

How could the performance have been better?

A better reader would have helped.

doesn't anyone listen to the audio?

Would you try another book from Solomon Northup and/or William Butler?

yes

Would you be willing to try another one of William Butler’s performances?

yes but only if I can be sure that the audio has been auditioned? (is that the word?) english is not my mother tongue

Any additional comments?

please take out the repetitions and pauses