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kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
It offers more than just the couple's escape to freedom but also several discussions about slavery. Nice. Also focuses on women more than some other narratives.
natalierosselli's review against another edition
2.0
This has been my least favorite narrative so far. It’s solely about their escape but it’s so muddles by their citation of laws and quotes by reverends and constant stories about other slaves escaping that don’t really have much to do with them personally, if you get what I mean, which made it really hard for me to connect with this one.
While I find the Crafts extremely interesting, strong, and inspiring, their narrative fell rather flat for me. Their story is amazing but I don’t feel like this book did it justice.
Also, I think my review is heavily influenced by the fact that Ellen was not the woman she was portrayed as in the narrative. William (who apparently wrote the narrative, although it has been majorly speculated that Ellen did most of the writing) makes her SUPER feminine and coy and feeble and delicate when the real Ellen was strong and ready to do what was best for them and was kind of the one who was running the show. Yeah, not a fan of the portrayal of Ellen.
While I find the Crafts extremely interesting, strong, and inspiring, their narrative fell rather flat for me. Their story is amazing but I don’t feel like this book did it justice.
Also, I think my review is heavily influenced by the fact that Ellen was not the woman she was portrayed as in the narrative. William (who apparently wrote the narrative, although it has been majorly speculated that Ellen did most of the writing) makes her SUPER feminine and coy and feeble and delicate when the real Ellen was strong and ready to do what was best for them and was kind of the one who was running the show. Yeah, not a fan of the portrayal of Ellen.
davecreek's review
4.0
RUNNING A THOUSAND MILES FOR FREEDOM tells the true story of William and Ellen Craft, slaves in Macon, Georgia who made a daring escape in December of 1848. Ellen Craft, being light-skinned, disguised herself as her husband William's male owner.
The two of them made their way to Philadelphia by train and steamboat, with several close calls along the way.
This is a brief volume; I finished it in a single sitting. But it's a fascinating read of a part of American history I'd never heard of.
You'll also learn why, even while living in the supposedly free north, the Crafts eventually made the decision to leave the U.S. entirely and move to England.
The two of them made their way to Philadelphia by train and steamboat, with several close calls along the way.
This is a brief volume; I finished it in a single sitting. But it's a fascinating read of a part of American history I'd never heard of.
You'll also learn why, even while living in the supposedly free north, the Crafts eventually made the decision to leave the U.S. entirely and move to England.
josefinceh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The book tells the story of Ellen and William Craft's mission to cross state lines in order to become free. In this escape they take advantage of Ellens paler skin and disguises her as a white gentleman traveling with his slave (her husband).
The story is true and the people they meet along the way are also real. Despite the context the story has a great deal of humor reflected in the characters and the great length they go to keep their identities a secret. This combination reminded me of a Dickens story in all the best ways.
The story is true and the people they meet along the way are also real. Despite the context the story has a great deal of humor reflected in the characters and the great length they go to keep their identities a secret. This combination reminded me of a Dickens story in all the best ways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexism
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