Rating: 
Summary: You have to enjoy this style of writing
Review: This book may have great value as a historical document, however, I evaluate it from the 'fun to read' point of view. I did not find it a greatly enjoyable read. It is written in the old novel style- "Perils of Pauline" comes to mind. Neither did I find that I learned much about it was like to live like a slave during that time. I am now reading a historical novel in which there are a few pages describing a slave market in the USA during the Revolution; which gave me a much clearer picture than Bondwoman's Narrative did. The description of how the field hands lived left me wishing to read more about that, and in fact, I felt I did not even get a good picture of how the house servants lived. There was quite a bit of philosophizing during the entire book so the author came across as an intellectual. In this respect, her comments about the death of a fellow runaway slave towards the end of the novel were very interesting to me.
Rating:
Summary: You have to enjoy this style of writing
Review: This book may have great value as a historical document, however, I evaluate it from the 'fun to read' point of view. I did not find it a greatly enjoyable read. It is written in the old novel style- "Perils of Pauline" comes to mind. Neither did I find that I learned much about it was like to live like a slave during that time. I am now reading a historical novel in which there are a few pages describing a slave market in the USA during the Revolution; which gave me a much clearer picture than Bondwoman's Narrative did. The description of how the field hands lived left me wishing to read more about that, and in fact, I felt I did not even get a good picture of how the house servants lived. There was quite a bit of philosophizing during the entire book so the author came across as an intellectual. In this respect, her comments about the death of a fellow runaway slave towards the end of the novel were very interesting to me.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: This book was amazing. It makes you feel as if you are right there when all the events are happening. It was so graphic in describing the relationships and emotions of people during slavery. I think everyone should go out and get this book to know just how history evolved and how far we have come. I truly enjoyed this novel.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and fast-paced
Review: This is a fascinating novel. The editor gives a convincing argument as to why it is believed that this novel was written by a female slave in the mid-19th century. Unraveling the authorship is an intriguing mystery in and of itself. The story is part gothic--part sentimental writing style. It tells a riveting story of a young woman's journey toward freedom. Along the way she introduces the reader to a variety of slave-experiences.I particularly loved the way the main character relied on god for support in times of great need. Her reliance on prayer rings with genuiness. I am not a religious person, but I was very moved by the relationship betwen god and the girl as depicted in the story. Her prayers were powerful. This book is valuable both for its historical relevancy and for its story, which certainly is a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed the gothic and sentimental tones.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This story is amazing. It's amazing to think what you are reading is someones account...of slavery. And she was able to write about it! And we are reading it 150 years later.
The stories within the story are spell-binding.
This book grabs you & pulls you in. What a great (although sad) tale from our history as a nation.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Window into a Life of a Slave!I'd Read it Again!
Review: This was the most fascinating book that I've read in ... well, I don't know how long! THE BONDWOMAN'S NARRATIVE is a fictionalized yet seemingly autobiographical slave narrative written by Hannah Crafts somewhere between 1856-1860. Hannah delves into the the mind and heart of a slave by telling the story of a young woman's personal experiences. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who chairs the Department of African American Studies at Harvard University, came across this hand-written manuscript at an auction for African American artifacts. He then embarked upon an amazing research project which explored the author's identity. From scientific analysis of the manuscript (handwriting, ink, paper quality, etc) to actual genealogical research (census reports, etc.), Professor Gates attempts to prove that Hannah Crafts was indeed the first African-American woman to write such a narrative. ...This is part of the book is intriguing although I do have one word of advice here - READ THE NARRATIVE FIRST! If you read the Introduction first, you will know much of the story before actually reading it (in his discussion, he gives away the ending!). By reading the narrative first, I found that I was able to reach some of my own conclusions before reading those of Professor Gates and I better understood the informative analysis! I usually don't read books more than once but I would read this one again!
Rating:
Summary: A Treasure Found !
Review: We haven't group read this as of yet. I got this book while I was reading another,I had to put the other book down to start reading this. Just holding it in my hand had my emotions running. To think that this gem may never have been published. I was amazed with her talent, not what I expected at all.This book is a must read. A true treasure that was found, I hope teachers and book clubs will use this book and not let it sit on a shelf again. This is American history and should be read by all. Amazing how it survived all this time. A great read.
Rating:
Summary: An enthralling legacy
Review: Written in the 1850s by Hannah Crafts and edited for a modern readership by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Bondwoman's Narrative is the only known novel authored by a female African American slave, and perhaps the first novel ever written by a black woman. Describing the story of "passing" as a young slave treks toward freedom, The Bondwoman's Narrative is an enthralling legacy which is especially recommended for university African-American literature collections and community library large print fiction shelves.
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