Quite possibly the best book I've ever read. ( )

2000 ( )

This is a great book for anyone who is inerested in the pre Civil War era and all the issues that accompany slavery. Published in 1852 and written by a woman who lived in a nothern state bordering the south, Harriet Beecher Stowe delivers a powerful story of life in a time of extreme contention. The harshness of cruel masters is depicted as well as the more compassionate individuals that treated their slaves as members of the family. The courage of the characters that decide to risk it all and plan an escape to the northern states and eventually Canada, just to have the right to be treated as a human being is heart wrenching and gloriously uplifting all at the same time.
Anyone who enjoyed Alex Haley's "Roots" or David L Wolper's minseries "North and South", will enjoy this book. ( )

A really stunning book... its engaging, heartrending, truthful... the characters come alive. I really was impressed how it shows the beauty of some of the characters, when they're in a situation that is so objectively ugly. ( )

While I understand the book’s historical importance and appreciate its message, I had a really hard time getting through this for a couple of reasons. First, the religious rhetoric was very difficult for me. The long passages of religious posturing seemed to go on and on without end. Second, the characters are extremely one dimensional and idealized. Even the quite evil Legree is said to somehow see the wrong he is doing and still choose the path of evil. Third, there are entirely too many happy or sad coincidences. Characters randomly happen upon one another by chance. It took me out of the story at times. I am glad I re-read it (it has been years), and I value the importance of the work. However, I don’t think I will be reading again.

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