Harriet E. Wilson
Harriet E. Wilson is considered the first African American woman to publish a novel in North America. Her book 'Our Nig; or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black' was published in 1859 and is an autobiographical novel that depicts the hardships faced by a mixed-race woman in the antebellum North.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Our Nig
The book is a groundbreaking work of African American literature, providing a harrowing account of the life of a free black girl in the antebellum North who becomes bound as a servant to a cruel family. It explores themes of race, identity, and servitude as the protagonist endures physical and emotional abuse while struggling to maintain her dignity and spirit in the face of relentless oppression. The narrative serves as a powerful critique of the myth of Northern racial superiority and the complex social dynamics of race and class during the 19th century.
The 1072nd Greatest Book of All Time
