A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukaw…


Read by TriciaG

(4.2 stars; 32 reviews)

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, also known as James Albert, (born ca. 1705 - 1775) was a freed slave and autobiographer. His autobiography is considered the first published by an African in Britain. Gronniosaw's autobiography was produced in Kidderminster in the late 1760s. Its full title is A Narrative of the Most remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, As related by himself. It was the first Slave narrative in the English language. Published in Bath in 1772, it gives a vivid account of Gronniosaw's life, from his capture in Africa through slavery to a life of poverty in Colchester and Kidderminster. It is devoid of the anti-slavery backlash ubiquitous in subsequent slave narratives. (Summary modified from Wikipedia)

Note to those who dislike incongruities: This is read by a North American, Caucasian woman. (1 hr 21 min)

Chapters

1 - Preface & Part 1 29:41 Read by TriciaG
2 - Part 2 28:02 Read by TriciaG
3 - Part 3 23:31 Read by TriciaG

Reviews

Great Primary Source


(5 stars)

Many thanks to this reader for making this source available to me--a historian.


(2 stars)

When I read the previous reviewer’s comment about this reader, I knew who it was as I’ve listened to other books she had read. But this one is not nearly as sing song with the last word of every sentence read ending in an up note. If you wish to, listen to some of her other readings and you will see just how bad they are. Dear reader, I don’t mean to be cruel but please please stop reading in that manner. You voice itself could be pleasant if you would just please not read like a robot with the ending word singing upward.


(0.5 stars)

May be the worse reader I’ve ever heard. She used a sing song repetitive inflection, resulting in almost every sentence sounding the same, especially the last word of each sentence. Couldn’t complete the book! Extremely disappointed in this reader.