Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe - Review

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was initially written as a drama by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It was later published as a book by Boston publisher John P. Jewett. This story that follows the lives of African American slaves, particularly of an uncle Tom, caught immediate attention and saw roaring success when it was published in 1852.

Story plot

The story is set in the time when slavery of humans was the norm. Tom and Eliza are two slaves who work for Mr. Shelby. But due to some financial crisis, Mr. Shelby has to let two of his slaves go. He chooses Tom and Eliza’s son, Harry. Afraid of separation from her young son, Eliza runs away with him, while Tom remains behind.

While Eliza settles in Liberia with her son and husband, Tom travels deep south under his new master’s orders. When he saves a white girl from drowning, things change drastically for him. He is owned by the girl’s father, who offers freedom to him only to die before granting it. The story then follows the sad journey of Tom waiting for freedom to come to him until it is too late.

Writing

Since this book was written decades ago, the language is hard to comprehend. Sadly, the book has not seen new versions, wherein the language is adapted for today’s readers. You might have to sit with the dictionary while reading the book.

Apart from the language, there are specific points in the book that might bounce off your head entirely because of no knowledge about them. And there are many controversial things in the book, which, according to Abraham Lincoln, were the catalyst for the civil war. So this book requires a considerable amount of patience while reading.

Verdict

We would like to rate Uncle Tom’s Cabin 3/5 stars. Lovers of historical fiction with an understanding of historical events of the world should go for this book.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe