Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Twelve Years a Slave is March's Additional Read (voted by the members of this group).

Book Summary:
First published in 1853, Twelve Years a Slave is the narrative of Solomon Northup’s experience as a free man sold into slavery. Northup’s memoir reveals unimaginable details about the slave markets, the horrors of life on a plantation, and the dreadful day-to-day treatment of the slaves from the perspective of a man who lived more than thirty years as a free man before being forcibly enslaved.

Written in the year after Northup was freed and published in the wake of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Northup’s story was quickly taken up by abolitionist groups and news organizations as part of the fight against slavery. The book fell into obscurity in later decades, only to be rediscovered in the early 1960’s. In 2013 it was adapted into a feature film entitled 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen and produced by Brad Pitt. Pitt also played a supporting role in the film, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Paulson.

Discussion Questions:
1. Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave was one of some 150 so-called "Slave Narratives" published before the Civil War. Their purpose was to give the white Northerners a first-hand glimpse of slavery and to enlist them in the antislavery crusade. They were both literature and propaganda. What is the essence of Northup's description of Southern slavery?

2. One of the distinguishing features of Twelve Years a Slave is its specificity. Unlike most slave narratives, Northup did not employ pseudonyms for persons or places and rarely wrote in generalities. Northup also studiously avoided stereotypes: there are good masters and bad; slaves who resist and those who collapse before white power. Northup hoped that this frank portrayal would convince readers of the authenticity of his story. Does it? How does it achieve that aim?

3. After witnessing the brutalities not only of white masters against enslaved blacks, but also white brutality against other whites, Northup observed, "It is not the fault of the slaveholder that he is cruel, so much as it is the fault of the system under which he lives" (p. 135). Do you think this observation is accurate? Does it seem accurate to state that both whites and enslaved blacks that lived in the South were mutually affected by the system of slavery?

4. Although Northup says little directly about the struggle against slavery that is preoccupying the nation in the decade before the Civil War, Twelve Years a Slave is one of the most powerful weapons in the antislavery arsenal. What makes it so?

5. Another distinguishing mark of Twelve Years a Slave is the author's free status. Most of the slave narratives-like that of Frederick Douglass, for example-were written by an author who had been born into slavery. How does Northup's free status shape his narrative? How might it have influenced the book's reception?

6. How does Northup depict black life in the North?

7. In the North, free black people lived in fear of kidnappers, who operated with near impunity in almost all Northern cities. Yet, Northup seems impervious to the possibilities that he might be targeted and that the offer to join a circus might be too good to be true. What might have made Northup miss the seemingly obvious danger?

8. Solomon Northup was a keen observer of human nature. Did his ability to discern people's character build solidarity with his fellow slaves or did his analytic skills to observe how others dealt with the reality of enslavement distance him from the slave community? With what types of men and women did Northup find commonality or comradeship?

9. Solomon Northup never gave up hope of regaining his freedom and resisted the dehumanization of enslavement in many ways. How did he and other slaves resist slavery?

10. The family played a critical role in Northup's life in both freedom and slavery. How does his portrayal of black family life shape his narrative and his critique of slavery?

11. Related to the emphasis on family life is the role played by women, black and white, in Northup's narrative. In fact, females are among the most important characters in Twelve Years a Slave. How do women serve as a measure for the nature of slavery?

12. Describe the position of women within the slaveholding world. How would you characterize someone like Eliza or Patsy? What are the differences between the experiences of enslaved women and slaveholding mistresses like Mrs. Epps? Are women more or less vulnerable than men to the brutality of a slave society, or is it a different kind of vulnerability altogether? What advantages or disadvantages might enslaved women have over enslaved men?

13. Northup has a good deal to say about labor. What is his understanding of the nature of work, the development of a work ethic, the relations between employees and employers (in the North) and slave and masters (in the South), and the quality and productivity of labor in both sections?

14. Music plays a large role in Northup's life. Northup's omnipresent fiddle was a source of empowerment and a symbol of his subordination. What does the fiddle tell us about Northup and African American life in slavery and freedom?
(Questions issued by the publisher.)

and finally

Did you go and see the film?
How did you rate the film?
Which did you prefer; film or book?

I just finished reading the book - really interesting!

Never got to see the movie although it is on Pay Per View so I guess I could!

Is there more than one version of this book? Not sure if I bought the right one.

Cherene wrote: "Is there more than one version of this book? Not sure if I bought the right one."

I think there are several versions but don't think it matters which one you bought - I bought the least expensive one for Kindle.

Beth wrote: "I think there are several versions but don't think it matters which one you bought - I bought the ..."

Perfect, thanks.

I am on the waiting list for it at the library, hope to get it this month.

I'm not sure where everyone is located, but Amazon has editions for .99

Mine was for $1.22 (I'm in Poland). I saw the film two weeks ago, and it made a huge impression on me. I'm still thinking about it, and wondering if I'm able to go through the story once again while reading.

This is really hard to read.

Well the movie just took the Oscar. So excited to start this one - so then I can see the movie. But gotta finish up a few other books first.

Cherene wrote: "This is really hard to read."

I have heard that the movie was hard to watch.

Anima wrote: "Mine was for $1.22 (I'm in Poland). I saw the film two weeks ago, and it made a huge impression on me. I'm still thinking about it, and wondering if I'm able to go through the story once again whil..."

That is why I am gonna read first. I can't do it the other way.

I saw the film a couple of weeks ago too, not surprised it won the Oscar. Need to get on and read it now! :)

I haven't seen the film yet, but I will watch it.

Here is a link to an interview NPR did with Screenwriter John Ridley about the film.

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/03/2851199...

are there any free copies in mobi

Don't know about free but everyone I've seen (including me) has picked this up for less than a pound / 2 dollars.

I haven't read the book but I've seen the movie a few weeks ago. I found it very moving but quite slow sometimes. I would still recommend it of course.

I really would like to read this but I am in the middle of another book at the moment. Does it matter if I happen to ready after the 14th March? Will I still be able to participate in the discussions?

Virginie wrote: "I really would like to read this but I am in the middle of another book at the moment. Does it matter if I happen to ready after the 14th March? Will I still be able to participate in the discussions?"

The discussions don't get deleted, it just changes to the read bookshelf. I've added to discussions after a year. Lol.

Thank you Cherene

Yippee! Finally got my new computer! My notebook died last Wednesday and I've been using my Kindle Fire. Unfortunately, it was just too painful to really monitor my groups (or type) on the Kindle.

Started reading Twelve Years a Slave last week. Not up too anything horrifying really yet, I'm really impressed with the writing. It doesn't read like something written in the 1800's. It's really easy to read.

I'm also very impressed at how detailed it is. He names names and places, making it easy for people to authenticate it.

openlibrary.org has a free digital copy if this book.
archive.org

This is an attempt to answer discussion point 1, bearing in mind that I have only read 30% of the book. SN writing is very descriptive and somewhat emotionally detached. He does not dwell on how he feels but shows more interest in describing the emotional state of others going through the same situation. In that respect, I found his account of the events is pretty selfless. It's as if he is trying to move the attention away from him.

I loved this book. Solomon is a very likable, kind man anyone can identify with, in a very horrific situation. It's hard to think there were so many Solomon's dotting the south that were never rescued.
I was sad with, and elate with him, just a good read.

It didn't find it hard to read, I guess because I expected the horror, and it paled in other accounts of slavery and beating like "a short account of the destruction in the indies". That story did not have a happy ending, and was also real.
I was surprised to find he took pride in his work, and even cared for some who enslaved him. He understood the indoctrination better than they did. As an outsider he could see it.
I imagined slaves just hating their masters and thinking about nothing but freedom. It's a lot more complex than I imagined.

I listened to the audio. There was a bit of a detached voice but I think it may be partly intentional because it is like a long argument against slavery presented in a very objective way. It is like - here are the facts.

But I still had tears of joy running down my face in his moment of deliverance. It was a bittersweet moment, because one man's struggle was finally over, but FOR so many others it would continue.

I saw the film first which prompted me to read the book. I thought the film deserved to win the Academy Award. Both the book and the movie were difficult to read and see, respectively.
My comments - no spoilers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just got to an interesting turn in the book. (view spoiler)[ He is now a driver and is given a whip to inflict on his brother slaves, ans will get whip himself if it does not use it to punish when it is deemed necessary (hide spoiler)]. What an awful position to be in.

Just finished it. This is a very good read and looking at the number of comments for discussion or lack thereof, is a difficult topic to discuss...maybe something to do with humanity having to look at itself in the mirror...

Virginie wrote: "Just finished it. This is a very good read and looking at the number of comments for discussion or lack thereof, is a difficult topic to discuss...maybe something to do with humanity having to look..."

I agree this book may be difficult to discuss because the topic of African American slavery can be difficult to discuss...the "peculiar institution" that neither started nor ended well for the United States.

i just got this book haven't had a chance to read but will

Just got this book am going to start it. Looking forward to it

Wow. It is unbelievable that this actually happened. I really want to see the movie, but my DH isn't feeling it. Getting him to see a movie in the theatre is somewhat challenging, so I'll probably wait until I can rent it from the library.

Lea wrote: "Wow. It is unbelievable that this actually happened. I really want to see the movie, but my DH isn't feeling it. Getting him to see a movie in the theatre is somewhat challenging, so I'll probab..."

I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater. It's just too expensive. I usually wait 'til the library gets it. (I'm just cheap, I guess.) Though, I do plan on seeing the new GODZILLA in the theater!

good book and sometimes I feel disheartened about that past era. Humans are still slave trading today the poor or disadvantaged.

Kirsten wrote: "I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater. It's just too expensive. I usually wait 'til the library gets it. (I'm just cheap, I guess.) Though, I do plan on seeing the new GODZILLA in the theater! "

I even have gift cards to the theatre and we still don't go! I can't even pull the "I'm cheap" card. :-)