This is the autobiographical novel by Harriet Wilson, the first African-American to publish a novel in North America. Originally published in 1859, it was rediscovered in 1982.

The novel begins as Frado, a six-year-old mulatto, is abandoned by her white mother. While serving the Bellmont family as an indentured servant, she is treated cruelly. Frado earns her freedom at the age of 18 but has many difficulties earning a living on her own. She marries Tom, a fugitive slave and a lecturer for the Abolitionist Movement. Frado has a baby, but is again abandoned and must find a way to support herself. At the end of the novel, the author appeals in her own voice for sales of her book.

Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

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Listening Length	2 hours and 58 minutes
Author	Harriet Wilson
Narrator	Robin Miles
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	August 30, 2010
Publisher	Audible Studios
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0041CUAPI
Best Sellers Rank	#100,535 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #1,137 in Biographies of Women #2,779 in Classic Literature (Audible Books & Originals) #6,481 in Women's Biographies

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5 star		78%
4 star		14%
3 star		4%
2 star		5%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Top reviews from the United States

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"Our Nig"

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2015

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I loved this `semi autobiography' for its post colonial dialect and tremendous storytelling. Our Nig sketches the tragic story of a seven-year old mulatto girl who is left by her parents in the hands of people who become the young girl's "employers"; and who treat her like an object. The emotional pull on the senses relating to highly offensive affairs was challenging, but put in perspective engaging. While a few of the family members extend some compassion towards the young girl; comforting vestiges such as telling the child "better times are coming" after she's been brutally kicked and beaten by the mistress who extends little compassion towards the child, or anyone else for that matter, it nonetheless was consoling to know that this book likely was the first `novel' written by a black woman.

Highly Recommended.

4 people found this helpful

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Williamettia Scott

Enduring

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2014

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How much can the human spirit endure?
How many times does a child have to be beaten, degraded, treated less favorably than livestock, the house pet to be broken, to lose hope?
How small a word of hope, token of tenderness given will inspire greatness in the human heart?
That is this story.
In an attempt to save an entire family, a child is essentially abandoned in what is hoped the best/worse situation. Parents hoping on the kindness of strangers.
How do you leave your baby and pray for the people who care for her??
I don't know.
But this story tells a part of that.
You will want to reach out and take her hand , protect, care for, sooth, and yes , love her.

3 people found this helpful

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Darcia Mbaye

White rage

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2021

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This book is awesome. It tells how a white woman physically abused a small biracial girl that was abandoned by her white mother after the death of her Black husband.

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Bradley W. Bleck

northern racism in antebellum America

Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2008

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This story provides insight to the racist attitudes permeating much of the north in pre-Civil War America, making it clear why something such as The Fugitive Slave Act could pass and why runaway slaves could find little relief in the so-called "free states." If nothing else, this brief tale brings to light the complexity of race relations, providing at least a hint as to why race remains one of the paramount concerns in America still.

9 people found this helpful

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Carolyn Brooks

History

Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2020

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Great read. Sad true story. I wish she had descendants to reap the benefits of her work.

2 people found this helpful

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4macis

A story worth reading!

Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016

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However difficult to follow at first, this story marks the plight of so many people of color and the injustices and cruelty they Rose above. Well done!

2 people found this helpful

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