Welcome to Litsy!

Librarybelle @Graciouswarriorprincess @Larkken @Magpiegem @BookBelle84 @jenniferw88 @julesG @Deblovestoread @MidnightBookGirl @triplem80 @Tove_Reads @slategreyskies @Read4life @Bluebird @kwmg40 @eeclayton @hissingpotatoes @Book_Lover95 @TheAromaofBooks 10mo

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

While not a perfect book, this one still packs a punch over 150 years later. As a story, there are times where the narrative bogs down a little while Stowe allows her characters to converse/debate about different aspects of the slavery system. There are a few too many coincidences, especially at the very end. And obviously there are aspects, even from Stowe's forward-thinking-for-her-time perspective that still don't sit right with modern readers⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont‘d) But the flip side of that is a gripping tale, showing many of the layers and complexities of slavery, all while following the fortunes of a man trying his hardest to live his life as a good man and a good Christian. Stowe is biased, but up front about those biases: she believes slavery to be evil on every level; she‘s strongly religious; and she sees no possibility of Christians being able to Biblically justify the system. ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) That‘s the whole reason she wrote her book, and she methodically addresses many of the defenses given for slavery at the time by providing examples of the inherent evils of the system, appealing to the shared humanity between us all. This book had me in tears more than once. A beautiful, heartwrenching story that, despite so much sadness and despair, still managed to leave me feeling hopeful and inspired. ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) For those of you who have been reading along with me, how did you feel about the ending? Any final thoughts to share? I was intrigued to read about how so many of Stowe‘s stories were based on real life, including Eliza‘s dash across the ice floes! Thank you all so much for reading this with me. It was wonderful to revisit this one after so many years, and hearing all of your thoughts really enriched the experience for me. ❤ 10mo

See All 23 Comments

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 10mo

Librarybelle Well said! There‘s so much to unpack in this one. I think too, out of so many books published in that time, this is still being published and discussed. That‘s a testament to its staying power. 10mo

Librarybelle And the ending…I think she had in mind to end it the way she did, just to show the degrees of slavery but also the evidence of hope and how some born in a slave society could potentially change their minds. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I completely agree!! I actually think George Shelby's decision to free everyone worked well with his character and was a natural development. The coincidences that had me a little side eyes were more that Cassy happens to be Eliza's mother and the woman on the boat happens to be (slave) George's sister and George S, who happens to know where everyone is, happens to be on the same boat haha But it worked for tying everything up. 10mo

BarkingMadRead There were far too many coincidences in the end, and I‘m not mad about it. This was heartbreaking, and I couldn‘t put it down 10mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks Yes! It was like she had to add some sort of coincidental HEA ending after the tragic death of Tom. 10mo

CogsOfEncouragement Reading with a Christian point of view, since she was a Christian author, I thought she made Uncle Tom a missionary at both places he was sold to. Tom went to death in peace knowing he was a good and faithful servant. George showing up in time to say goodbye and bury him was a blessing for such a servant. Cassy was also a Christian (who has a prodigal son arc due to her horrific abuse) & is blessed with freedom/reunion to her family. I feel Stowe 10mo

CogsOfEncouragement made her black characters more human to readers that needed convincing by giving them a happy conclusion in which to take action. They deeply loved and cared for their family. They were forgiving. They sought out education. They looked for ways to help others. They chose where to live based on serving others. 10mo

TheBookHippie @TheAromaofBooks I had problems with the religiosity, naive at times on her part- in my opinion, but I understand why she wrote this way and the end was tidy- if you‘re searching for hope and trying to show it -this was the only way to end the story. She wrote the right book for the right time. To get people to think. It was good to reread this. I thank you for pushing us. I‘d not remembered much of it from college. 10mo

mrp27 Thank you for hosting! I failed to keep up with a chapter a day but this finally got me to pick up the book. I do hope to finish it. 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly @Librarybelle Yes! I felt like I could accept the coincidences because they sort of balanced out the coincidental deaths 😆 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly I was really glad to see George in the end really doing the right thing and freeing his slaves. It feels sort of selfish to want to see that, though—wanting to see a decent white person after all those awful ones (there were the Quakers who helped Eliza and George, but they felt far away by that point). 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - I was so glad that Cassy was able to find some closure and healing at the end. It can never erase the horrific injustice and abuse she suffered, but she did find peace eventually. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie - I definitely think that Stowe was especially angered by complacency and hypocrisy she saw in churches/Christians around her, at a time when most people attended church, even if it was just socially. So for her this was a twofold challenge: she shows them an exemplary example of Christianity - except he is a slave, not a white man - and then shows them repeatedly that the evils of slavery can NOT be brought into harmony with true ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Christian beliefs. In some ways, it's a narrow audience window, but I think that it is an audience that was much wider at the time she was writing. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly - I think she was once again emphasizing that even one person can make a difference, a start, in turning the tide. So it's definitely both an encouragement and once again a challenge. 10mo

TheBookHippie @TheAromaofBooks I agree. It‘s of the time. 10mo

MemoirsForMe Harriet once said, “There is more done with pens than with swords.” I love this quote because her words sure did shake up the world then. And she‘s still shaking us awake! Her writing style was over the top and a little too tidy at times, but she did what she needed to do so her voice would be heard. I applaud her for standing strong in her convictions. Thanks Sarah for hosting this buddy read and everyone for sharing all your thoughts. 10mo

MemoirsForMe It was a much richer and deeper reading experience for me. And I can finally take this classic off my TBR list. 😊 10mo

ChelseaM6010 Well said + thank you for hosting! 🙂 10mo

72 likes23 comments

Librarybelle

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

This is my 4th or 5th time reading this - I‘ve read his for quite a few History and English classes in college and grad school. What strikes me each time is Stowe‘s determination to plead with the reader to see the atrocities of slavery. She‘s writing for an audience who has no clue what slavery truly is - this is a abolitionist political piece - but she‘s also hoping to sway the minds of those who might be contemplating the validity of slavery ⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️ in the American South. She uses direct address to really speak candidly with the reader and as #anomniscientnarrator , she guides the reader through the story of Tom and the ultimate denouement. Stowe is also very religious - she grew up in a religious family and married a preacher - so also stresses the Christian duty to help anyone. The enslaved are people too, she tries to impart. Overall, this is a moving piece of fiction tied to reality.⬇️ 10mo

Librarybelle ⬆️ There‘s so much more I can say about this important piece of literature from the American Civil War era. It was banned in the South, and Lincoln himself quipped to Stowe upon meeting her in the 1860s that she and her work started the war. For anyone who has read this for the first time, I strongly recommend pairing this with what are called the “slave narratives,” those works by formerly enslaved who tell their story. They‘re hard to read, ⬇️ 10mo

Librarybelle ⬆️ but of vital importance to cement the ideas presented in this novel with the true reality. Stowe does well skimming the surface, but she‘s a white woman writing of a world that is far from her own. I would especially recommend Frederick Douglass‘ autobiography and Harriet Jacob‘s autobiography, two works that I‘ve read a couple of times along with Uncle Tom‘s Cabin. There are many more narratives out there. Thanks for selecting this @TheAromaofBooks 10mo

See All 16 Comments

Librarybelle ⬆️ for #RandomClassics ! It also fits the #52BookClub24 prompt for omniscient narrator. @BarbaraBB @Kristy_K @LaraReads @KarenUK @Hooked_on_books @BarkingMadRead @Crazeedi @brittanyreads 10mo

TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! Thank you so much for reading this with me!! 10mo

Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks Thank you! 😁 10mo

brittanyreads I learned a lot from your review! Wow, what an amazing story! Thank you 10mo

BarbaraBB Fantastic review, thank you 10mo

Librarybelle Thanks, @brittanyreads @BarbaraBB ! ❤️ 10mo

Deblovestoread I really appreciate your insights, Jess! 10mo

Librarybelle Thank you, @Deblovestoread ! 10mo

mrp27 Excellent review! 10mo

Librarybelle @mrp27 Thank you! 10mo

Hooked_on_books I‘m a bit embarrassed to say I‘ve never read this. I‘ve meant to for years. I should really get to it! 10mo

Librarybelle @Hooked_on_books It‘s not an easy read, but it‘s one I‘m glad I‘ve had an opportunity to revisit a few times. 10mo

79 likes1 stack add16 comments

Clare-Dragonfly

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

What a powerful and heartbreaking book! I feel that some of the sad parts were overdone for the story, but maybe it was necessary—Stowe certainly doesn‘t get as explicit as she very well could about some of the horrors of slavery. I can‘t fault her choice to show the best Christians rather than the worst experiences. (And some of the worst experiences are certainly implied.) I‘m glad it had the effect intended, raising sentiment against slavery.

24 likes

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

This post contains spoilers

show me

(thru ch41) Wow. I just. I'm so glad George made it in time to say his goodbyes, but what a heartbreaking ending for Uncle Tom! As a Christian, I can't tell you how inspiring Tom's faith truly is.

I originally read this book back in high school. Over the years, I've heard the term “Uncle Tom“ used derisively to basically describe people willing to pander, especially in situations where race dynamics are in play. I didn't remember Tom as a weak ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) character at all, but figured maybe I just wasn't remembering him clearly, or that my (white) teenage brain didn't register his true attitude. During this reread, though, I've been puzzled. I don't think Tom comes across as weak or pandering ever. He stands strong for his beliefs, and times that he “knuckles under“ to his owners are virtually all to protect someone else, like his acceptance of being sold away from his family at the ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) beginning of the book.

So it was with interest that I read this interview from NPR. It's from back in 2008, but I was genuinely intrigued to see this perspective, how Uncle Tom's story and character were basically stolen and twisted during a time when if someone wanted to make a play out of a book, they could do it without permission or approval from the author. ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) How horrible must it have been for Stowe to see her hero so misrepresented?? Let me know your thoughts - https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93059468

Only a few chapters left. Isn't Cassy's plan absurdly clever? It would take some serious nerve to do what she's doing!
10mo

See All 13 Comments

Librarybelle It was definitely twisted and misrepresented in some circles. What a powerful political piece! 10mo

Deblovestoread An interesting article. I knew there was some negative connotation attached to the novel but not the particulars. While I struggle with my faith or lack thereof, I admired Tom so much. His quiet strength to do the right thing always. I saw no weakness just surety in his belief of a better place. 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly I had been wondering about the “Uncle Tom” term, too—the character doesn‘t seem to fit it at all, though it upsets me that he says all he wanted at the end of his life was to see George, though he left a wife and children and is not reunited with him in life. Thanks for sharing the NPR piece—I‘ll listen to it soon. 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly Cassy is a stone cold badass! I love her! 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly Having listened to the NPR piece, it seems like the plays just took the Uncle Tom name and created a whole different character?! No wonder he has such a bad reputation. 10mo

MemoirsForMe Tom‘s unwavering faith and his loyalty to help protect Cassy and Emmeline amid all that senseless brutality moved me beyond words. Hard to believe and utterly appalling and heartbreaking that underhanded marketing and greed robbed Tom (and Harriet) of his true nature and character. Ugh… 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @Clare-Dragonfly - I think for Tom, seeing George meant that his family hadn't forgotten him or their promises to him, and that is why it meant so much, not necessarily that he cared more about George than his wife and children or that he wouldn't have preferred to see them. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @Deblovestoread @Clare-Dragonfly @UwannaPublishme - I was just so intrigued by that article! Another case of the book being better than the movie/play 😂 But it seriously did explain to me why Uncle Tom has become such a derivative term, when the original character is actually the exact opposite of weak and pandering. He's a powerful character in this book at a time when basically no one would have expected a black person to have ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) what were considered to be “white“ traits - noble, self-sacrificing, heroic, protective, etc. 10mo

Clare-Dragonfly @TheAromaofBooks That‘s a good point—I‘ll try to think of it that way! I do hope we get to find out how his family fares in the end. 10mo

14 likes13 comments

Deblovestoread

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

Another classic that was always on my radar but never got around to. Thanks @TheAromaofBooks for having this on your #RandomClassics list this year. The book and especially Tom will stick with me.

TheAromaofBooks Thank you for reading along with me!! Almost finished with this one, so I'll have at least one more post for any final thoughts. This one was a heartbreaker, but somehow didn't feel over-the-top to me. 10mo

58 likes1 comment

Uncle Tom's Cabin (Enriched Classic) | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch37) - I'm SO glad we finally got to see what happened with George and Eliza!! In a way it was a little anticlimactic after all the action from earlier, but I was glad to see things go smoothly.
⬇ ⬇

TheAromaofBooks “What is freedom to a nation, but freedom to the individuals in it?... To your fathers, freedom was the right of a nation to be a nation. To [George], it is the right of a man to be a man & not a brute; the right to call the wife of his bosom his wife, & to protect her from lawless violence; the right to protect & educate his child; the right to have a home of his own, a religion of his own, a character of his own, unsubject to the will of another 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 10mo

TheBookHippie Exactly. And WHEW. 10mo

See All 8 Comments

BarbaraJean Yesterday I saw that today‘s chapter went back to the George and Eliza storyline, and I HAD to read it then! Such a relief after the turns the rest of the book has taken!! 10mo

CogsOfEncouragement I wondered how it was decided to place this chapter here. It certainly doesn‘t fit in the timeline. Was it to give us a break from the despair for a moment? 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean - SUCH a relief. It makes me want to do some more reading about what happened with slaves who made it to Canada. Were there groups of people there willing to help them get on their feet? Where did they stay? After the war, did any of them come back to the States? I don't really know much about that part of history. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - It did feel a little random. I get the impression that Stowe is getting ready to ramp up to a big conclusion, so I guess she wanted to tuck this in where it wouldn't disrupt the flow of the final chapters. But it also felt like we could have had this chapter much earlier, before multiple years had passed in the Uncle Tom timeline. 10mo

MemoirsForMe After those harrowing chapters with Tom, I was relieved to finally learn about Eliza and George too. WHEW is right! 10mo

46 likes1 stack add8 comments

BarkingMadRead

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Y‘all this broke me. What a beautifully devastating book. @TheAromaofBooks
Popsugar= became a musical (part of the King&I) 📚#52bookclub2024 omniscient narrator 📚 #readaway2024 #mounttbr

DieAReader, Andrew65, GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🥳Great 10mo

TheAromaofBooks I can't believe it took me so many years to get around to rereading this one! Thanks for joining me for the journey!! 10mo

Gissy I haven‘t read yet. I wish I could be a faster reader...so many good books to read and I‘m so slow😩 10mo

45 likes3 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch34) Honestly, I don't even have words for the direction this story has taken. The story Cassy told today was just heartbreaking. A “quadroon“, as I'm sure you all know, is a (now obsolete/offensive) term for someone who was 3/4 white and 1/4 black, but that 1/4 was all that mattered. And we knew what was going to happen to poor Emmeline but the dark hints we're getting - and she's only 15...!!!!

I so admire Uncle Tom for his strength and⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) his faith. He's literally willing to be martyred for his beliefs. Beyond the story of the evils of slavery, Uncle Tom's faith in the face of indescribable pain and injustice is both inspiring and somewhat daunting - my life is about 5000 times easier, but I seem to find plenty to whine about!

I'm so eager to find out how this story ends (not confident it's going to be happy), and are we EVER going to hear about what happened with ⬇ 10mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) George and Eliza?!?!

@BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 10mo

BarkingMadRead I miss George and Eliza! I have hopes for Legree, none of them good for him 🤣 10mo

See All 12 Comments

CogsOfEncouragement Hard reading about a (based on truth) character that used up people and didn‘t care because he could just buy more. I was thinking about George and Eliza too, and figured if we don‘t hear about them again, we are to assume they got to freedom. I understand Stowe would not want to give any more clues about the underground railroad than she maybe already did. 10mo

Deblovestoread Tom is so strong in his faith when he has every reason not to be. 10mo

BarbaraJean I don‘t know what I expected about where this story would go—but I didn‘t expect it would get so dark. I think the early sections with George and Eliza made me think it would be more of an inspiring escape story—wishful thinking on my part, no doubt! I see why Stowe had to show the despair that is narrated here, but even Tom desperately, barely hanging on to his faith is absolutely heartbreaking. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarkingMadRead - Why can't HE die young and unexpectedly!? 😂 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - You know, I hadn't really thought about the fact that the Underground Railroad was actually operating when Stowe wrote her book (even though it's kind of obvious haha) That's a great point!! 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @Deblovestoread - There have been so many good passages in this book about faith and suffering and their ability to coexist. 10mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - I think Stowe has done such an amazing job taking the reader through different aspects of slavery/slave owners. Despite the titular character, it feels like this story has been more about women/mothers. I wonder if she anticipated more women reading her book than men, since a woman was writing it? 10mo

BarkingMadRead @CogsOfEncouragement so true! It was nice to see it in action in a book of that time, regardless. I wish it wasn‘t such a small part of it, but it makes sense as well 10mo

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks She really has. I‘m impressed at all the perspectives on slavery she includes, so naturally—and she absolutely takes down each one. I do think she had a woman reader in mind (especially given her direct address to mothers in one of the early chapters). The story largely follows Tom, but he encounters so many women/mothers along the way. I wonder if there will be more significance to the “cabin” or if we will ever get back to it! 10mo

47 likes12 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch31) Just a reminder, tomorrow and Friday will be catch-up days, and then we'll start Saturday (Feb 3) with chapter 32.

WHEW things are really happening! I'm really impressed with Stowe's ability to take us to so many different types of slave-owners, showing how each one is evil, period. I think it's interesting that she started with “good“ owners first, but I think things are really getting ready to take a turn. And even though she isn't⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) explicit, she also doesn't shy away from what is likely to happen to a young girl as beautiful as Emmeline. I'm so scared for her!

Legree's absolutely heartless statements about how it's cheaper to let sick slaves die and then replace them - wow. How can you even get your head around something so repulsive? 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 11mo

Librarybelle It‘s so sad! 11mo

See All 10 Comments

TheBookHippie It‘s so very sad. What a brave thing to write this has been my thoughts this week. 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie - Yes! Especially since this isn't a book that really makes anyone feel complacent about their views on the topic. She challenges not just “bad“ slave owners, but literally the entire population of the country! She does an amazing job showing that you can't just be neutral about this. 11mo

BarbaraJean Yes! I‘m so impressed at the range of people/views she includes, demonstrating how basically everyone is complicit. That conversation on the boat—“…it is you considerate, humane men, that are responsible for all the brutality and outrage…if it were not for your sanction and influence, the whole system could not keep foothold for an hour…it is your respectability and humanity that licenses and protects his brutality.” 🔥🔥 11mo

BarbaraJean Also, when I saw the name “Simon Legree” I got a sinking feeling inside, like: “Oh, THIS is where that name comes from!!” and not in a good way! I was already worried about both Tom and Emmeline, but even more so now. 11mo

MemoirsForMe I‘m nodding my head in agreement as I read all your comments. So so very sad and heart wrenching. Must admire Stowe for her bravery as @TheBookHippie said in writing such impactful words. The more I read, the more I can feel her intense convictions deep in my bones. Whew… 11mo

ChelseaM6010 This is so sad! 11mo

BarkingMadRead I‘m finally ahead instead of behind, not that these chapters are giving me any sort of joy! 11mo

42 likes10 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

This post contains spoilers

show me

(thru ch29) - Oh NO! I did NOT see that coming! 😢 I can't believe St. Clare died and left everyone in the charge of his horrid wife! I also don't remember ever hearing about actual places to send your slaves to have them whipped for you! That honestly shocked me. Poor Rosa! At least Topsy is safe thanks to Ophelia's forethought. I can't imagine being Tom, so sure that you were at last going to be free & able to go see your family again and then⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) to have it snatched away! I'm so worried about everyone. While reading this, I try to think about what it would be like to read it at the time that it was published. I was really struck by Stowe calling out the northerners in ch.28 via St. Clare talking to Ophelia - “We are the most obvious oppressors of the negro; but the unchristian prejudice of the north is an oppressor almost equally severe.“ This was a theme when I read Gone With ⬇ 11mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) the Wind last year, too - that the soldiers who came from the north to occupy Georgia hated and despised the blacks even more than the southerners who used to be their owners.

Tomorrow's chapter is titled, “The Slave Warehouse“ and I'm a bit terrified to find out what is going to happen!

And what about George and Eliza?!?!? 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 11mo

See All 13 Comments

Librarybelle This last section of the book is the hardest for me to read. And Stowe is not inventing any of this! Years ago, I read this book with the narratives from formerly enslaved - Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs being 2 of the more recognized - and it‘s devastating. I like how Stowe uses this to also show that it‘s not just the slaveholders who are to blame or should feel ashamed for what is happening; the North also needs to take action. 11mo

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks I think that‘s the part ppl miss. For instance my hateful town only voted democratic once - against Lincoln because they were FOR SLAVERY. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Oy. But yes this last bit always hits your heart .. 11mo

Librarybelle @TheBookHippie My part of PA was very sympathetic to the pro-slavery viewpoint. They were also not Lincoln supporters. I‘m also very near the Maryland border, so that does explain the sympathies, but still…ugh! 11mo

TheBookHippie @Librarybelle 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 11mo

Deblovestoread As I have read more and more this has been one of the hardest lessons. You hear a lot about the north being anti-slavery and feeling superior due to that rather than the reality of their prejudice. 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement I was afraid that Ophelia urging Augustine to sit down and take care of Topsy‘s paperwork right then was foreshadowing. 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly This just makes me mad. I kind of saw it coming from Augustine dragging his feet on freeing Tom but signing Topsy over when Ophelia insisted. How come he couldn‘t just dash off the paperwork for Tom like he did for Topsy? Ugh. 😡 It‘s still a good book but I feel like Augustine dying before Tom could be freed is just unnecessary angst. 11mo

MemoirsForMe I didn‘t see that coming either. Oh my! I‘m almost afraid to continue to the next chapter. 😳💔 11mo

BarbaraJean @CogsOfEncouragement @Clare-Dragonfly I felt the same way!! When Ophelia started pushing to settle things about Topsy, and Augustine kept putting off settling things for Tom, I thought: “Crap, he‘s going to die with everything unsettled!” But I didn‘t expect it to happen so quickly! (edited) 11mo

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @Deblovestoread I thought those discussions between Ophelia and Augustine about the prejudice in the north were so fascinating. I‘ve been impressed with how Stowe calls out so many aspects of slavery and racism, not just the obvious—I understand now why this book has endured as a classic! 11mo

15 likes13 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Hey friends!! Here's our schedule for finishing up Uncle Tom's Cabin next month. I went ahead and gave us two catch-up days, but we should still be done by the 16th.

These recent chapters have been pretty sad. I think it's interesting that having a “perfect angel“ child die and/or a rapscallion child is ill or injured and learns to be a better, more patient/thoughtful person as a result was such a common motif in books from this period. Was it ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) a reflection of reality at the time, when so many children DID die? We were discussing on a different post how so many illnesses were fatal at that time, or led to health difficulties that eventually would kill you because there weren't good ways to manage it (i.e. Beth's scarlet fever weakening her heart in Little Women). Do you think a child in Eva's position would be as gracious and accepting as she is in real life? (edited) 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 11mo

BarkingMadRead I‘m a little bit behind, maybe 2 chapters now? I‘ll catch up soon! Evelina is my fave, she‘s so sweet! 11mo

See All 16 Comments

Librarybelle So many children did die in that time period, so it was a combination of leaning into the sympathies and IRL sorrows of readers. In the case of Stowe, she‘s writing not only from a moral standpoint but also a political standpoint. She‘s also staunchly religious and uses her Christian beliefs to run parallels between some of these characters. Eva is an angel (and I think she uses Eva to tell readers if a child gets this whole kindness thing, why ⬇️ 11mo

Librarybelle ⬆️ can‘t you). I don‘t want to say spoilers for later in the book, but there are arguably really strong connections to other Christian doctrines later with a certain character (sorry…I‘ve said before I‘ve read this numerous times, with some deep dive analysis in historical context. Hopefully I‘m not overstepping!). I think that‘s why we also have Stowe‘s direct address in the narration - readers need to know what really happens to the enslaved. 11mo

julieclair I‘m glad for the two catch up days…. I am waaayyyy behind. 😕 11mo

BarbaraJean Thank you for this schedule—it‘s easy to keep track when the dates correspond to the chapter numbers—not so easy when we start a new month 😆 @julieclair Meeee toooo!!! (edited) 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement Oh, this is too too sad. I like Marie even less, didn‘t think she could show more selfish behavior, but she sure did. We‘ve all come across old souls. I think Eva is a representation of that. So kind and wise and outspoken. 11mo

Deblovestoread Little Eva. The embodiment of who we should be as human beings. Kind, thoughtful…. 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly I absolutely do not think that any real child would be this perfectly Christian and good—but Eva is more of an angel and a symbol. I enjoyed her story (in a sad way) regardless. I think her attitude of choosing to love everyone is a great one for Stowe to hold up for everyone to aspire to. You make a great point about how often children died at this time in history. 11mo

MemoirsForMe Oh yes, this book is so very sad and heart wrenching. Stowe is really hitting us with everything she‘s got. I want to believe there are kids out there who are compassionate and led by their hearts. I still have a glimmer of hope despite our crazy world. (edited) 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle - I totally agree!! I think at this time, more people would say that they were Christians/religious than not (although for many it was more a social standing/the “right“ thing to say than a personal conviction), so Stowe is definitely pointing out hypocrisies and inconsistencies between what people said they believed and what they were actually doing/allowing to happen. 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @julieclair @BarbaraJean - My brain doesn't work when the chapters stop matching the days, so I am all about having a reference sheet 😂 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @CogsOfEncouragement - Every time I think Marie can't get worse, she does. Ugh! The way she treats Mammy really gets me! 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @Deblovestoread @Clare-Dragonfly @UwannaPublishme - I do think Stowe gives us Eva as an ideal but an attainable one. Her reminders to put others first and to focus on our life in the perspective of eternity are always relevant, and those themes and others like them are part of what make this story still so readable over 150 years later, I think. 11mo

ChelseaM6010 I‘m so happy there are catch up days! I need them. I‘ll catch up soon! 11mo

43 likes16 comments

Clare-Dragonfly

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

This post contains spoilers

show me

Does anyone know what Eva is dying of? Is it meant to be a specific illness (tuberculosis?) that readers of the time would easily identify so it doesn‘t have to be named, or it is just Overly Good Literary Character Syndrome like Beth?
#RandomClassics

Librarybelle I think it‘s a little bit of both. What I do know is that having the goodly character die was the thing to write at that time. As for Eva‘s illness, I‘m fairly sure it‘s consumption/tuberculosis, but I could be wrong. So many of these novels from that time have a character with a “fever coursing through the body.” 11mo

TheAromaofBooks I'm with @Librarybelle here - consumption is my guess, but I think at the time there were many things that could kill you that we can correct now, deficiencies or a blood pressure problem, a weak heart, etc. Like in Little Women, Beth is perfectly healthy when she is young, but scarlet fever (if I remember correctly) severely damages her heart and eventually kills her. The frequent mention of a cough may be indicating TB. It's definitely a ⬇ 11mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) common plot device, but I also think part of the reason that it's common as a plot device is because it was sadly common in reality as well. Do they die because they're “too good to live“ or do they become a better person because they're acknowledging that they're on their way to the grave and want to get eternity sorted before then? I'm not completely sure. 11mo

2 likes3 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch22) Sorry gang, lots of life going on so I haven't been posting regularly!! I feel like this book has somewhat lost steam. The last few chapters have felt really lecture-y. What is going on with George and Eliza?!?!?! I do feel like Stowe has made some good points, but you also see the way that racism impacts even her (for the time) open-minded perspective. Some of these stories, though! 😢

#RandomClassics

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 11mo

TheBookHippie I do think the heart was in the right place, realising your own biased prejudice is difficult and sometimes if you ignore it it‘ll show -as it does here. I don‘t think it‘s malicious. It‘s privilege. Many good passages especially for the time it was written. 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @TheBookHippie - I completely agree. It's obvious that Stowe recognizes and values the humanity of the slaves, which is already far ahead of many of her contemporaries. I don't think she sees her generalizations as negatives. 11mo

See All 6 Comments

Clare-Dragonfly Yeah, there‘s a fair amount of “noble savage” stuff going along here. But I do appreciate how she shows a variety of biased views, with Miss Ophelia displaying a different kind of racism than the slave owners. I‘m wondering what‘s been going on with George and Eliza, too! Tom has been with St. Clare for two years! Did they make it to Canada?! 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement I‘m really enjoying this. I had to smile at how Topsy gets back at those who do her wrong. My friend has three children, the youngest would bide his time and get back at his siblings possibly weeks later. Kids. 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly Does Marie remind anyone else of Mrs. Bennet? 😂 11mo

56 likes6 comments

mrp27

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

#sadiescarlett

It‘s been a crazy week, time to catch up with some reading and cuddle time with my girl.

Leftcoastzen Awww!🐶 11mo

26 likes1 comment

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch9) I know I just posted yesterday but today was another heart-wrencher! I LOVE the way Stowe puts Mr. Bird on the spot where he has to face an actual flesh-and-blood example of what he's been talking about, and recognize that he's been wrong. But the part that really got me was Mrs. Bird giving away her dead child's clothes😢 I looked it up. Between 1830-1860 the average was between 350-450 of every 1000 children died before the age of 5.⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) During that same time period, the fertility rate was 5-7 children per child-bearing woman. So most of the women Stowe is writing to, when she point-blank asks them if they know what it's like to lose a child: SO MANY of them would say yes. Is this emotionally manipulative writing? Yes, but to a purpose. Stowe isn't pulling her punches.

Side note: I also lost it at this oh-so accurate description of my home state: ⬇ 11mo

TheAromaofBooks (contd') “the soft, rich earth of Ohio ... is admirably suited to the manufacture of mud“ 😂 It is DUMPING rain here today, so I am giving her a 10/10 for accuracy 😆

@BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @catiewithac @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme @willaful 11mo

BarkingMadRead Ugh it‘s raining here today, too. Tornado watch, thunder storms, crazy wind 🙄 11mo

See All 11 Comments

Suet624 This post is so good. The amount of children that were born and died during so many years is heartbreaking. I don‘t know how women did it. 11mo

MemoirsForMe 💔💔💔 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement This chapter is a powerful short story itself. I looked up the equivalent of $10 then and found it to be about $400 now. 11mo

julieclair Looking forward to catching up this weekend. I had to stop for a bit, because I‘m also reading The Underground Railroad for my IRL book club, and I was getting the characters and story lines of the two books all mixed up. 🤪 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @julieclair - I can only read multiple books if they're all pretty distinctive from one another, so I can definitely see that getting confusing!! 😂 11mo

catiewithac @TheAromaofBooks I‘m bailing on this book for now. I didn‘t make it past the intro… I have so many books to read from the holidays and library holds. Maybe the stars will align with your next #RandomClassics 📚 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @catiewithac - No worries!! Way too easy to get caught up in too many books around here! 😂 11mo

BarbaraJean I also loved the Mr. Bird scene—it was a good example of exactly what Stowe is trying to do: make people confront their own views by introducing them to situations & people that show slavery's reality. At this point I‘m becoming more OK with the emotional manipulation! I do prefer having it inherent in the story, but felt her point-blank question here was entirely appropriate—especially realizing the prevalence of women who had lost a child 😰 11mo

51 likes1 stack add11 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch8) W O W this story is intense! I had forgotten how we get straight into the action with Eliza running away. The story of her crossing the river is absolutely crazy. I live in Ohio and have crossed the river many times and it is not some little creek. For instance, the bridge at Maysville 2100 feet long. Of course, not all of that is actual river, but a lot of it is.

I really appreciate the way Stowe leavens her story to keep things ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) from becoming too grim. The antics of Sam and Andy to delay the slaver's pursuit of Eliza were fantastic.

While many stories suffer when the author becomes to polemic, Stowe's entire reason for writing this story is to make a point, so I also kind of like the way that she sometimes drives things home by talking directly to the reader. I try to imagine reading this as a person who doesn't have daily contact with slaves, who has just ⬇ 11mo

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) always been told that they're subhuman & more like animals than people, but then being presented with stories of babies being taken away from their mothers, husbands from their wives, all with the calloused attitude we're given in today's chapter. You can start to see why a story like this would stir up individuals who previously hadn't considered slavery “their problem.“

Hope you all are finding this #RandomClassic as engaging as I am!! 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @catiewithac @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme 11mo

See All 17 Comments

Librarybelle Indeed! I love rereading this one - the direct address is perfect. You can tell how much she wants to connect the reader to the horrors on the plantations. 11mo

TheBookHippie Oh thanks for the river info!! I am struck by how this is still relevant today. The direct is what is needed. 11mo

mrp27 I too loved the chaos Sam and Andy created and Sam‘s lecture on being observant. Still very stressed out over Eliza. A bit hard to get into but I feel like I‘m finding the rhythm of the story. 11mo

willaful Oh, I didn't realize you were reading this! I got bogged down in it years ago, perhaps I should pick it back up. 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly Yes, I agree! I was thinking the same thing about her making a point—with modern authors it always annoys me, even when I agree with them. But Stowe somehow does it well. It might help that she‘s up-front about it, and you know she‘s not trying to pretend she‘s “just” telling a story. I am totally sucked into Eliza‘s story! I knew there was a perilous ice crossing (from The King and I) but thought it would be the climax, not so early! 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @willaful - We just started January 1 and are reading a chapter a day, so just let me know if you'd like to be added to the tag list!! 11mo

willaful Thanks! I think I can catch up, so go ahead and add me please. 11mo

TheAromaofBooks @willaful - Yes!! Glad to have you along!! 11mo

MemoirsForMe Oh yes, these were very heart-wrenching chapters. Sam did add some relief with his clever stalling. Always love when the author talks directly to the reader. Makes me feel even more involved in the story. 11mo

MemoirsForMe @Clare-Dragonfly I kept thinking of the “Uncle Thomas” ballet from The King and I too and hearing “Run Eliza, Run Eliza.” Gotta see the movie again after reading this. 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly @UwannaPublishme Yay, I‘m glad I‘m not the only one! 😄 ~the small house of Uncle Thomas~ (edited) 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement @Clare-Dragonfly @UwannaPublishme I have not seen The King and I, so I looked up what you were referring to. Very interesting. 11mo

MemoirsForMe @CogsOfEncouragement It‘s a very entertaining film with classic musical numbers, including this ballet. 11mo

BarbaraJean Catching up with discussions today! I agree--Stowe makes her characters so sympathetic (or villainous, as the case may be!) & evokes such depth of emotion. I haven't been as into the way she addresses the reader, though, and I've had a hard time settling into the dialect she uses. Between that & the paternalistic tone in the early chapters, I found myself cringing a bit. It helps to consider her audience, but it still feels heavy-handed to me! 11mo

59 likes17 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

(thru ch4) Well, Stowe has introduced us to several characters/storylines in these first few chapters - do any especially strike you? I think it's clever that she is starting this story in the “mild“ slavery state of Kentucky, rather than in the Deep South. KY was an area where most people felt that slaves were “treated well,“ but Stowe is already showing her readers that no human treated like livestock - even valuable livestock - is truly ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) “treated well.“

Love to hear your thoughts so far on this #RandomClassic !!

@BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @catiewithac @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @Deblovestoread @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @UwannaPublishme 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly I‘m glad I‘m finally reading this classic! Yes, Stowe tells us in so many words that masters are kinder in Kentucky—and then both tells and shows us that being kinder doesn‘t mean being humane. I notice none of the white people even start to object to Tom being sold away from his wife and children 😡 11mo

BarkingMadRead Ughhhh I am so stressed out for Tom and his family, and also for Eliza and her family! I know how their treatment was, but reading about it always infuriates me. It‘s been “easy” reading so far, as far as chapters go, but emotionally distressing! 11mo

See All 11 Comments

Librarybelle I‘ve read this several times for college and grad classes, and each time I‘m reminded how Stowe uses this as a piece for abolitionism and to show the atrocities of slavery. It was a good political piece for the abolitionists. I‘m enjoying my reread so far! 11mo

TheBookHippie I‘ve got a cold 🤧 but I will catch up! 😵‍💫 11mo

mrp27 My first read and I‘m adjusting to Stowe‘s writing style and yes I‘m stressed out for Eliza. I like how she doesn‘t justify anything but tells it like it is. 11mo

julieclair I never heard that masters had a reputation for being kinder in Kentucky. But even someone like Mr. Shelby, who is supposed to be a good man, is willing to break up a family. So hard to believe. And so sad. 11mo

CogsOfEncouragement This is my first time reading. I appreciated this line at the end of chapter two so much: “It‘s a free country sir; the man‘s mine, and I do what I please with him, - that‘s it!” 11mo

Clare-Dragonfly @CogsOfEncouragement Yes—that‘s a painfully good line! It‘s a free country… if you‘re white. 11mo

ChelseaM6010 This is my first reading. I‘m stressed out for Tom and for Eliza! 11mo

MemoirsForMe This is my first read too, and as everyone else it‘s infuriating and distressing. My heart is breaking for Eliza and Tom and I‘m just livid about the treatment George is getting. Very emotional read so far. 11mo

52 likes11 comments

LitsyEvents

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

repost for @TheAromaofBooks

Just a reminder that our #BuddyRead of this #RandomClassic starts tomorrow!! Looking forward to exploring this story with all of you. We'll be reading a chapter a day until we finish. I'll try to check in every few days and see how we're doing!!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2685647

TheAromaofBooks Thank you!! 12mo

34 likes1 comment

BarkingMadRead

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

A friend of mine found this copy for me a couple years ago, it was printed in the 1970s, but I don‘t think anyone ever read it. It‘s in perfect condition! The pages are printed in columns which is so weird to me! #randomclassic @TheAromaofBooks

IndoorDame Gorgeous!!! 12mo

AnnR Beautiful cover. What a nice friend! 12mo

TheAromaofBooks Honestly not sure how I would feel about the columns haha but what a beautiful edition!! 12mo

44 likes1 stack add3 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Just a reminder that our buddy read of this #RandomClassic starts tomorrow!! Looking forward to exploring this story with all of you. We'll be reading a chapter a day until we finish. I'll try to check in every few days and see how we're doing!!

@BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @Clare-Dragonfly @claudiuo @CogsOfEncouragement @julieclair @LibraryBelle @mrp27 @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie I just finished Don Quixote!!! Digging up my copy for this one! Phew just made it! 12mo

Clare-Dragonfly It‘s queued up on my Kindle and ready to go! 12mo

julieclair I have Serial Reader ready to go! 12mo

See All 12 Comments

Librarybelle Looking forward to it!!! 12mo

mrp27 Awesome! Looking forward to it. 12mo

catiewithac I may join in 12mo

Deblovestoread I‘d like to join in as I‘ve been wanting to read this forever. Thanks @julieclair for the Serial Reader reminder. 12mo

ChelseaM6010 I‘d like to join in, this book has been on my tbr forever! 12mo

TheAromaofBooks @catiewithac @Deblovestoread @ChelseaM6010 - Added to the tag list!! And I'm loosey goosey with these buddy reads, so if life gets in the way and you want to bail, just let me know 😂 12mo

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 12mo

MemoirsForMe Count me in! Especially if the rules are loosey goosey! I‘d love to finally read this classic. 12mo

TheAromaofBooks @UwannaPublishme - Yay!! Glad to have you along - a chapter a day starting yesterday, so I'm already behind 😂 12mo

62 likes1 stack add12 comments

CogsOfEncouragement

Uncle Tom's Cabin, Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Looking forward to reading this for the first time. #RandomClassic chapter a day BR hosted by @TheAromaofBooks starting January 1.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I'm really excited to reread this one - I have only vague memories from my high school read! 12mo

19 likes1 stack add1 comment

#SummerSpecial #UncleAunt

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

January's #RandomClassic is going to be Uncle Tom's Cabin!! Anyone is welcome to join. We'll be reading a chapter a day starting January 1 and continuing until we finish. There are 45 chapters, so this will carry into mid-February. I read this one back in high school and enjoyed it then, but I'm very interested to return to it as an adult. Originally published in 1852, there will be many aspects that don't jive with our modern sensibilities ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) but I think it has a great deal to offer us still.

I'm tagging everyone on my “master“ list for the Random Classics, so just let me know if you are interested in reading this one with me. I try to post a check in/discussion post a few times a week to keep us somewhat on track haha 12mo

TheAromaofBooks @AnneCecilie @BarbaraJean @BarkingMadRead @Bklover @BookingitwithSandra @Bookwormjillk @CatLass007 @ChelseaM6010 @Clare-Dragonfly @CoverToCoverGirl @Cuilin @eeclayton @janeycanuck @julieclair @Lcsmcat @Librarybelle @Meshell1313 @Read4life @SamAnne @TheBookHippie 12mo

Librarybelle I‘m in! I‘ve read it a few times for various classes over the years. 12mo

See All 15 Comments

mrp27 I‘d love to join, this book has been on my tbr for ages. Could you add me? 12mo

BarkingMadRead I‘m in, I‘ve never read this! 12mo

claudiuo I'd love to join, just know I'll fail to keep up, always getting distracted by other shiny reads (it's not just an accident I am reading like 5-6 books at the same time). But I'll give it a try, I always wanted to read this book again. 12mo

TheBookHippie I‘ve got to dig it out !!! If the print it too small I‘m checking the library 🤣🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ 12mo

BarbaraJean I‘m in! I own a copy and have never read it, so clearly this is the time! 12mo

julieclair I‘m in! I have never read this. 12mo

Clare-Dragonfly I‘ll try to join in! Pretty sure I have this on my Kindle. 12mo

TheAromaofBooks @Librarybelle @mrp27 @BarkingMadRead @claudiuo @TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean @julieclair @Clare-Dragonfly - Yay!!! Looking forward to reading with you all, as long as we can find print big enough and keep ourselves (somewhat) on track 😂 😂 😂 12mo

julieclair Serial Reader has this. So we can adjust the print to suit our eyes, lol! 12mo

mrp27 Thanks for adding me. 12mo

CogsOfEncouragement Count me in. I have not read this yet and look forward to reading it with others. 12mo

Littlewolf1 Oh man… I wish I would‘ve seen that you were doing this. I created my own classic challenge for this year, but would‘ve enjoyed doing it with the group. 12mo

52 likes15 comments

SqueakyChu

Uncle Tom's Cabin (Original) | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Ibram X. Kendi‘s book, Stamped From the Beginning, had a few pages talking about this novel which had been first published during the Civil War. I skipped the discussion of this book until I could read it for myself—-which I am doing now.

11 likes1 stack add

TheBookgeekFrau

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤📚💚 1y

31 likes1 stack add1 comment

JoeMo

Uncle Tom's Cabin (Original) | Harriet Beecher Stowe

This was truly groundbreaking in its time for showing many of the evils and the brutality of slavery. Controversial upon its release in 1852 (it was heavily criticized for not showing the “positive attributes” of slavery), this truly helped sway public opinion in much of the US regarding slavery. It remains controversial today for its depiction of some the characters, specifically Uncle Tom himself….

JoeMo I read an interesting article on NPR this morning in which the controversies about the main character were discussed and mostly attributed to distortions in early stage versions of the play that changed the plot and heavily distorted the original character. #alphabetgame #letteru. @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks (edited) 2y

30 likes1 comment

RaeLovesToRead

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Congratulations to @Roary47 for completing the #pickleschallenge by reading Uncle Tom's Cabin!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳

Pickles is no longer judging you! 😄💕

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Roary47 Yay! 🥰 2y

Leftcoastzen 😻 2y

63 likes2 comments

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

4✨ A lot was happening in this book and it was huge! However, the main story lines involve Tom and Eliza‘s family. They are both slaves who were to be sold to other plantations. We run across good and back owner in relation to how they treat them. Through the story if become more about how you should treat all people and the search for freedom. There is quite a few shocking situations that make you question the humanity of this time.

Roary47 For the record I‘m unhauling this book because I can barely open it without hurting my hands. Also I read this for #PicklesChallenge @RaeLovesToRead (edited) 2y

RaeLovesToRead Well Done!!! 🥳🥳🥳 I'll do you a post to celebrate later 😁 2y

15 likes2 comments

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Final results of #joysofjune hosted by @Andrew65 I was attempting to read all of these and read more than half! The three books that are left are being alternated based on my mood since my emotions are all over the place.

9 likes

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Please give positive vibes and prayers this way please. My mom might have a very rapid moving breast cancer. Results are pending. I brought a big book just for you Pickles! @RaeLovesToRead #PicklesChallenge Figured a big book and long shifts between 3 people will keep me going. 💛

Jerdencon 🙏🙏🙏 for your mom 3y

Ruthiella I will keep your mom in my thoughts. ❤️❤️❤️ 3y

Deblovestoread On their way! 3y

See All 11 Comments

KristiAhlers Prayer for you and your mom. 💜 3y

curiouserandcurioser @Roary47 prayers for you and your momma for healing and recovery🙏💕 3y

RaeLovesToRead I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum 💙 All of my fingers are crossed for her. Sending healing wishes and love from me and Pickles 💕💕💕🙏 3y

wisherwishinguponastar All the positive vibes to you and your family! Especially your mother!!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 3y

AmyG Oh no….I will keep your mom and your family in my prayers. 3y

kspenmoll Sending healing & love to your mom & you. 3y

sblbooks I'm sorry to hear that. Prayers for your mom.🙏 3y

Roary47 Thank you so much @Jerdencon @Ruthiella @Kdgordon88 @KristiAhlers @curiouserandcurioser @RaeLovesToRead @booksellerofyourdiscontent @AmyG @kspenmoll @sblbooks for all your kind words. She is doing a lot better, still not sure if my mom got results since I‘ve been trying to spend time with my husband today. She frequently gets confused so she couldn‘t tell me if her results were in. 3y

20 likes11 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

I‘m pretty excited about this challenge #pickleschallenge I have had this on my shelves for probably 15 years! Thank you for a reason to tackle it. I will definitely be more motivated with Pickles judging me. 🥰💛

RaeLovesToRead

RaeLovesToRead Glad to have you with us! 😊😁 If you manage to read the book I'll do you a celebratory post with Pickles looking impressed. Well... as impressed as I can photograph her looking 😸 Good luck!! 3y

18 likes1 comment

TH3F4LC0N

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

So I‘d had this book on my shelf for months, and even though it wasn‘t written by a black author I thought it might lend itself to some interesting commentary in light of Black History Month. And yeah, I was not wrong! 😂 Anyway, this book was such a perfect fusion of good and bad; I‘ve never really read anything like it. For my full thoughts, check out my review here:

https://youtu.be/Z8EDhmTf02Q

This vid was the highest quality I‘ve made yet😃

14 likes

kspenmoll

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

#selftour #womeninarts #womeninhistory

The Connecticut Houses to visit:
Harriet Beecher Stowe, Florence Griswold, Bellemy-Ferriday. Since My family visited FGH last year, we can skip that- the grounds are gorgeous!

https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/

https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/

https://ctlandmarks.org/properties/bellamy-ferriday-house-garden/

BookBabe Beautiful houses! 3y

kspenmoll @BookBabe They are usually gorgeous inside too with period furniture- often finding real pieces each family owned- often donated. 3y

49 likes1 stack add2 comments

bravenewtrav

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

so-so

If not a compelling read, then at least a fascinating melodramatic artifact.

ChaoticMissAdventures

Uncle Tom's Cabin (Original) | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

Historically significant. This is an important read understanding the time and context in which it was written.
The characters are highly characterized and stereotyped - filled with Mammies and white saviors. But it was a remarkable work of discontent and protest at the time.

21 likes1 stack add

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

pick

I understand why this book can be tough for today‘s readers; however, I also believe it‘s still an important book to read. It‘s easy to see how it made such an impact when it was first published. The stories of these characters are powerful & emotional. Today, we have the opportunity & responsibility to pair it with the slave & free black narratives of the time that are also available. I‘ve got at least a few more of those on my TBR.

Daisey #SerialReader #1001books #Reading1001
July 2021 #TBRTakedown & #DoubleSpin book 1 @TheAromaofBooks 3y

Kristin_Reads I love the red edition! 3y

Daisey @Kristin_Reads This red edition came from where my great grandma taught & my grandma attended school. I love having it, but I read mostly on Serial Reader to keep from damaging it. 3y

See All 6 Comments

EvieBee Congratulations on completing this classic! 🎉🎈🥳 My grandmother only read one work of fiction in her life and it was this one. A goal of mine to read. (edited) 3y

Kristin_Reads That is so cool! 3y

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I really need to reread this one - I haven't picked it up since high school!! 3y

55 likes3 stack adds6 comments

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

I‘m making much better progress on this book this week. I felt there was too much time spent on Eva and am continually aware of the time during which it was written, but overall I‘m very much appreciating this read.

#1001books #SerialReader

56 likes1 stack add

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Quiet Sunday mornings are one of my favorite things. The last week ended up being way busier with longer days than I expected and almost no print reading time. This morning I finished all my chores, cooked an actual breakfast, caught up on Litsy, and still had a short bit of time to read before church.

#SerialReader #1001books

JazzFeathers It was a busy week for me too. I had Eddie (my brother kitten) here, but he ended up not going along with my kittens 🥺 So it was a big work of keeping them apart. Full-time job. Now he's home and l'm here with Reinenoire and Gino 😻 3y

Daisey @JazzFeathers Mixing cats is almost never fun in my experience. Do I understand this to mean you have new kittens? 😻 Also, love the names! 3y

Pip2 Great book. I read it about 10 months ago, it does a great job capturing many different human elements of rationalization and how low and high the spirit of humanity can dip and bound. 3y

59 likes3 comments

all_4_kb

Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

Super excited for this classic from 1852! #CivilRightsEveryday

Libby1 I read this as a young teen and it had a real impact on me. I recently listened to the audiobook of Stamped and the author was very critical of it. I was surprised but want to learn more.

3y

all_4_kb @Libby1 interesting! This is one I somehow missed in my youth, but that‘s OK… I‘ll see how I feel when I‘m done. 3y

Libby1 @kbibliophilific - I‘m looking forward to your review! 3y

49 likes2 stack adds3 comments