Slave narratives are powerful indictments of the horrors of slavery and
oppression, invaluable not only for the stories they tell but also for
the consistently high quality of their literary style. This book by
Olaudah Equiano is one such story. A compelling account that has gripped
and fascinated readers since its original London publication in 1789,
the narrative describes Equiano's formidable journey from captivity to
freedom and literacy.
Charting a passage that takes him from life as an Igbo prince in what is
now eastern Nigeria to the New World, Equiano begins with a description
of his native land that includes particulars of the dress, agriculture,
industry, commerce, rituals, superstitions, and religious ceremonies of
his country. In stark and poignant detail he gives a compelling account
of his kidnapping and his ordeal aboard the slave ship, his service in
the French and Indian wars, as well as many other of his vicissitudes
and adventures until he finally settles in England, where he becomes a
key figure in the British abolitionist movement.
Skillfully written with a wealth of grossing detail, this volume
powerfully illustrates the nature of the black experience in slavery,
making it essential reading for students of African-American history and
anyone interested in the struggle for equal rights and human dignity.
