Böcker av Linda Brent

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an autobiography composed by Harriet Jacobs. Her story is excruciating, and she would prefer to have kept it hidden, however, she feels that unveiling it might help the antislavery movement. The preface by abolitionist Lydia Maria Child expresses that the events it records are valid. Linda hides in the attic crawl space of her grandma, Auntie Martha. She hopes Dr. Flint will sell her kids rather than risk having them disappear as well. The more she remains in her minuscule garret, the more physically debilitated she becomes.After spending seven years in the attic, Linda finally escapes toward the North by boat. She looks for employment as a nursemaid for a New York City family, the Bruces. The book closes with two testimonials to its precision, one from Amy Post and the other from George W. Lowther.

Reader be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed the names of places, and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive for secrecy on my own account, but I deemed it kind and considerate towards others to pursue this course. "I wish I were more competent to the task I have undertaken. But I trust my readers will excuse deficiencies in consideration of circumstances. I was born and reared in Slavery; and I remained in a Slave State twenty-seven years."

First published in 1861, this book is one the the few accounts of southern slavery written by a woman, and has its origin in a series of letters written by Jacobs between 1853 and 1861.