Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself

by Monica Edinger, Lesley Younge Narrated by Heni Zoutomou, Clifford Samuel

Overview

Millions of Africans were enslaved during the transatlantic slave trade, but few recorded their personal experiences. Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano is perhaps the most well known of the autobiographies that exist. Using this narrative as a primary source text, authors Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge share Equiano's life story in "found verse," supplemented with annotations to give readers historical context. This poetic approach provides interesting analysis and synthesis, helping readers to better understand the original text. Follow Equiano from his life in Africa as a child to his enslavement at a young age, his travels across the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, his liberation, and his life as a free man.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF containing maps, visual tools, found-verse adaptation notes, and other resources.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"This flawless and well-composed performance is an invaluable addition to youth collections, giving listeners the important story of a truly remarkable man."—starred, Booklist, audio book published by Listening Library

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2022-11-29
An important narrative presented with clarity.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789) remains one of the best-known stories about the life of an enslaved African man in the 18th century. Equiano was born in the kingdom of Benin and kidnapped and sold into slavery as a young person. His experiences of the Middle Passage, described in detail, were brutal. After working in the Caribbean, he was shipped to a plantation in Virginia and a life of bondage. When he was sold to a British naval officer, Equiano was given a new name against his will, but he formed relationships that allowed him to learn to read and write. Through it all, he never lost his dream of liberty and the resolve to purchase his freedom. Once he was successful, he took on an apprenticeship as a hairdresser and eventually had more adventures, traveling to Turkey, among other places. His autobiography formed part of his abolitionist efforts and was important to the movement that eventually ended the institution of slavery in Britain. This highly successful adaptation of his original work uses Equiano’s own words, turned into found verse and supplemented with important historical context that makes this primary source accessible. The overall result is exceptionally readable as well as informative.

An excellent way to understand a remarkable individual and his times. (creating a verse version, timeline, glossary, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index, photo acknowledgements) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178046159
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	05/16/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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