This book is so powerful, impactful and eye opening. And the intro/notes were so helpful to contextualize the author and the time period/impact. But I cannot finish it because it’s too painful and at times enraging to read. There are a LOT of n-words in here. I did not realize that going in and the first one really gob-smacked me and they haven’t really become less jarring each time I see it. Just what I read was enough to break my heart and help me glimpse the true horror of slavery. And I think anyone would be helped by a read/excerpt because idk how your heart wouldn’t be moved. I know the author and this book get a bad rap for the Uncle Tom trope, and it is warranted. I see the criticism and it is somewhat valid. Less the Uncle Tom criticism and more her own patriarchal/less-feminist pedestalizing of women and girls to move hearts. And that can coexist with the good that came out of this book historically, and the authors own faith/values makes sense for her to write from this perspective. But I guess I want to say that Uncle Tom did what he did as a sacrifice and love to spare his fellow slaves, not to appease his master. I see him as more a martyr who acquiesced to save others, rather than a people pleasing coward. However the religious overtones of suffer for greater glory, be good to my master or work well because of religious duty, I can’t stomach. Overall 5 stars so far but it hurts too much to continue. Maybe one day.

Stopped @ Ch. 17 p 184