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A readable copy. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Dust jacket may be missing. Pages can include considerable highlighting markings writing but cannot obscure the text. May be an Ex-lib. copy and have standard library stamps and or stickers. May NOT include discs or access code or other supplemental material. Ships directly from Amazon and is eligible for Prime or super saver FREE shipping. A readable copy. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Dust jacket may be missing. Pages can include considerable highlighting markings writing but cannot obscure the text. May be an Ex-lib. copy and have standard library stamps and or stickers. May NOT include discs or access code or other supplemental material. Ships directly from Amazon and is eligible for Prime or super saver FREE shipping. See less
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The Bondwoman's Narrative Paperback – Illustrated, April 1, 2003

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 331 ratings

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Possibly the first novel written by a black woman slave, this work is both a historically important literary event and a gripping autobiographical story in its own right, now with an updated preface adding additional context about the author's incredible life. 

When her master is betrothed to a woman who conceals a tragic secret, Hannah Crafts, a young slave on a wealthy North Carolina plantation, runs away in a bid for her freedom up North. Pursued by slave hunters, imprisoned by a mysterious and cruel captor, held by sympathetic strangers, and forced to serve a demanding new mistress, she finally makes her way to freedom in New Jersey. Her compelling story provides a fascinating view of American life in the mid-1800s and the literary conventions of the time. Written in the 1850's by a runaway slave, THE BONDSWOMAN'S NARRATIVE is a provocative literary landmark and a significant historical event that will captivate a diverse audience.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., lives in Massachusetts and is also a regular contributor to The New Yorker.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Warner Books (April 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 365 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0446690295
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0446690294
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.6 x 1.5 x 8.55 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 331 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
331 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enlightening. They describe the story as riveting, inspiring, and amazing. Readers praise the intelligent writing in colloquial language of the South. The story provides great insight into slavery and racism from a slave's perspective. They find the pacing intense and thought-provoking. However, some feel the introductory content is repetitive and unnecessary.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

25 customers mention "Readability"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They appreciate the author's insights into the document and the writing style. The story is intense and riveting, challenging readers with its historical message.

"...The book challenges its readers and delivers a moving historical message about the Black experience in slavery - especially for enslaved women...." Read more

"Great book" Read more

"...tale, is a tremendous historical chance finding and well worth the in depth analysis of ink, paper, handwriting, sources, genealogy, research into..." Read more

"...-pressed correction papers and homemade bookbinding made reading this book very sweet--this lady deserves to be recognized and published!..." Read more

23 customers mention "Enlightened"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and interesting. They describe it as a good introduction to a world most people never imagine. The research is complex and provides reference material. The book also validates the human desire for self-determination and freedom from indenture.

"...and team have contributed a rich treasure through delicate and complex research...." Read more

"...I love the attention given to all. Most interesting and informative. Great read for any history buff." Read more

"...The latter third of the book has much reference material, analyzing and comparing similarities and borrowings from Dickens (Bleak House), the Bible..." Read more

"...I found the narrative to be a document that enlightens the reader as well as sparks deep emotion." Read more

22 customers mention "Story quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the story compelling and inspiring. They praise the writing as beautiful and intelligent, with a great flow. The narrative delivers a moving historical message about the black experience. Readers appreciate the fascinating descriptions of the period. Overall, they describe the book as an amazing autobiographical tale and a great historical work.

"...The book challenges its readers and delivers a moving historical message about the Black experience in slavery - especially for enslaved women...." Read more

"This work is a masterpiece as it’s one of a kind historical detail, insight and intrigue...." Read more

"Took a while to sink my teeth into it. I like the story content but it’s not an easy read." Read more

"...The narrative itself is beautifully and intelligently written with great story flow, characterization, suspense, pathos, and a satisfying ending...." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing quality good. They mention it's well-written with an engaging story flow. The language is colloquial from the South, and the author's self-editing is included. Readers appreciate the raw form and documentation provided by the author.

"This work of historical fiction was done by an outstanding writer in the 1800's...." Read more

"...The narrative itself is beautifully and intelligently written with great story flow, characterization, suspense, pathos, and a satisfying ending...." Read more

"...Seeing her careful self-editing and reading about her thimble-pressed correction papers and homemade bookbinding made reading this book very sweet--..." Read more

"...I’m not usually a fan of these types of books but it was so well written and much easier to read because of the prologue. I’m glad I read it!" Read more

7 customers mention "Insight"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides insightful perspectives about slavery from a slave girl. They say it's fascinating and spiritual, exposing aspects of racism and class divides in the United States. The story also explores history and black culture.

"...The story exposes aspects of racism and class divides in the United States that are finely woven in history, laws, political systems and dominance..." Read more

"Very interesting and a look at slavery through the eyes of an escaped slave...." Read more

"This is a great book. Very informative about our history and black culture. This woman was amazing and her story is astounding...." Read more

"Great insight to slavery from a slave. explained thwe difference between household and field slaves...." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging. They describe the story as intense, compelling, and heartbreaking.

"...It is moving and very interesting to read...." Read more

"...to be autoboigraphical by a a house slave that is compelling, heartbraking and ultimately triumphant...." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed both the writing and the intense and riveting story. I am so glad this manuscript was rediscovered." Read more

3 customers mention "Thought provoking"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing hauntingly sublime and thought-provoking. They describe it as thoughtful and unique, a must-read to understand slavery better.

"...Some of her writing is breathtakingly, hauntingly sublime...." Read more

"...The preface written by Henry Louis Gates was very long and thought out...." Read more

"Unique & a must read to truly understand slavery..." Read more

3 customers mention "Introductory content"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the introductory content long-winded, repetitive, and boring. They say it lacks research on the content and isn't what it thought it was about.

"...The introductory information was a bit long winded, repetitive and self congratulatory...." Read more

"...That intro is boring and unnecessary unless you are a scholar. But, the book itself is compelling and heart rending." Read more

"Didn't do research on content. Wasn't what it thought it was about." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
    This work of historical fiction was done by an outstanding writer in the 1800's. It is remarkable how much of a command the author had over language and structure considering she had no formal education. The book challenges its readers and delivers a moving historical message about the Black experience in slavery - especially for enslaved women. The story exposes aspects of racism and class divides in the United States that are finely woven in history, laws, political systems and dominance over others by the privileged and powerful.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
    This work is a masterpiece as it’s one of a kind historical detail, insight and intrigue. Gates and team have contributed a rich treasure through delicate and complex research. Hannah has illuminated the experience of black women in slavery with great skill and fortitude.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
    Great book
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2024
    Took a while to sink my teeth into it. I like the story content but it’s not an easy read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
    The details described in this book more a biography of a slave. I love the attention given to all. Most interesting and informative. Great read for any history buff.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
    Due to flooding, I can’t accurately judge timely delivery. However, I ordered a used book in fair condition and it came brand new. So pleased with the quality!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2021
    Embedded in this work is the actual fictional narrative by Hannah Crofts, a slave. It is purported to be the first fiction written by an enslaved person prior to the Emancipation, using literary devices popular at the time (the 1850's) in gothic and romantic tales. The latter third of the book has much reference material, analyzing and comparing similarities and borrowings from Dickens (Bleak House), the Bible, Rob Roy and other works the author may have had access to in her master's library. It would have been helpful to have the Table of Contents at the front of the volume to give a hint as to the length of some of the preface material and appendices. The introductory information was a bit long winded, repetitive and self congratulatory. Nonetheless, it is obvious that this literary finding, a handwritten autobiographical tale, is a tremendous historical chance finding and well worth the in depth analysis of ink, paper, handwriting, sources, genealogy, research into some of the possible characters' true identities and other validating factors. Because of all the additional material, this is a great stand alone study of a must read for those investigating African American history. The narrative itself is beautifully and intelligently written with great story flow, characterization, suspense, pathos, and a satisfying ending. Blessings to the soul of the original writer and to Professor Gates for bringing this to us!
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2002
    I saw Professor Gates on Charlie Rose, and immediately ordered a copy of this book. The story challenges the stereotypes of slaves and masters during those terrible times--all slaves weren't "yes, massah" creatures and all masters/mistresses weren't whip-bearing monsters (although the image of the old nursemaid and her dog hanging in the linden tree is impossible to get out of your head--truth or fiction). The overwhelming sensation of the inhumanity of slavery--no matter how kind the master--hangs over the story, and the yearning to be free is so great, you can't help but be relieved that the story has a happy ending. Seeing her careful self-editing and reading about her thimble-pressed correction papers and homemade bookbinding made reading this book very sweet--this lady deserves to be recognized and published! Thank you Professor Gates and all the other people who preserved this work.
    32 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Sunny Land
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique book, poor packaging
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2016
    Excellent book that really gives an insight into the life experience of the black Americans before emancipation.
    It is a haunting question to which extent it is autobiographical - I guess it will never be known.
    I disagree with the preamble's statement that the author uses coincidence far too much. Unlikely coincidence occurs a few times, but it didn't strike me as way overdone. In any case, real life often outdoes anything anyone can make up. I think her sense of plot is very good. I was impressed with the ending - so terse. I shall not spoil anything for the next reader, but the ending surprised me by its suddenness and it struck me as strangely convincing that she felt no need for further details at that point.
    She is also said to have borrowed Gothic elements. This may be so; but African, and much black American culture is imbued with spirits and attendant fear. If she has borrowed this, I think it is well worked in. Clearly she has borrowed from other books.
    The book was sent in only a plastic wrapper and turned up damaged. It has clearly been dropped on its way. Books really need a padded envelope or a thick, stiff, cardboard envelope. I haven't complained about it, as I didn't care enough, but I will buy form other suppliers in the future.
  • mR mE
    5.0 out of 5 stars sudden
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2013
    The five stars given were for the importance of the subject matter, the book is good and very easy to read but the ending is incredibly swift and sudden. Nevertheless I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read it. Would recommend to anyone as a good book on two great subjects (slavery/feminism). Of course it is so much more than that but those are the two things that stand out.
  • Xxxx
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2018
    As expected.
  • Susan Lang
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Bond woman's Narrative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2013
    Very quick delivery and state of this second hand book is excellent- I do not think that it has been read before.