Hagar's Daughter. A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.7 stars; 12 reviews)

Hagar's Daughter was first published serially in "The Colored American Magazine" in 1901-1902 by Pauline E. Hopkins, a prominent African-American novelist, journalist, historian, and playwright. The book was described as "a powerful narrative of love and intrigue, founded on events which happened in the exciting times immediately following the assassination of President Lincoln: a story of the Republic in the power of Southern caste prejudice toward the Negro." (From the January, 1901, issue of "The Colored American Magazine")

In another of her works, the author explained the nature and purpose of her literary efforts: "But, after all, it is the simple, homely tale, unassumingly told, which cements the bond of brotherhood among all classes and all complexions. Fiction is of great value to any people as a preserver of manners and customs—religious, political and social. It is a record of growth and development from generation to generation. No one will do this for us; we must ourselves develop the men and women who will faithfully portray the inmost thoughts and feelings of the Negro with all the fire and romance which lie dormant in our history, and, as yet, unrecognized by writers of the Anglo-Saxon race." (From the Preface, Contending Forces, 1900) (Summary by lubee930) (8 hr 38 min)

Chapters

Chapter I 8:45 Read by Novella Serena
Chapter II 23:31 Read by Novella Serena
Chapter III 18:01 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter IV 18:48 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter V 29:31 Read by KHand
Chapter VI 10:44 Read by Arie
Chapter VII 19:08 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter VIII 6:50 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter IX 8:00 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter X 19:14 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XI 6:33 Read by Arie
Chapter XII 13:57 Read by Arie
Chapter XIII 7:22 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XIV 9:52 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XV 12:06 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XVI 10:30 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XVII 16:56 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XVIII 16:46 Read by Arie
Chapter XIX 7:14 Read by Arie
Chapter XX 7:01 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXI 22:16 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXII 7:29 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXIII 20:26 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXIV 6:25 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXV 11:54 Read by Emma Mercier
Chapter XXVI 16:06 Read by Arie
Chapter XXVII 16:36 Read by Arie
Chapter XXVIII 16:41 Read by Arie
Chapter XXIX 18:38 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXX 13:51 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXI 12:17 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXII 14:20 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXIII 23:50 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXIV 20:27 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXV 3:22 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXVI 14:06 Read by Michele Fry
Chapter XXXVII 8:40 Read by Michele Fry

Reviews

Melodrama With A Moral


(3 stars)

The bulk of this tale is a good old fashioned melodrama of the 19th century sort, with hiss-able villains, sweet heroines, passionate bad girlsand a hero with a stalwart heart, but an IQ well south of 100. It makes for a fun listen. Because the author rather too obviously stacks the deck, it's too easy to guess the mystery at the core of the book, but that really is not a problem. The problem here is the ending, and the plot contrivances used to get to that ending. That end does fit the general theme of the book, but requires a number of characters to act vigorously against their best interests. The readers do a good job on this story.

Hopkins, Excellent Writer


(5 stars)

The story is so good! Readers Mercier and Arie brought life to the characters by giving them distinct voices, and used appropriate intonation throughout their narrations. One reader’s voice is so grating—she sounds like a character from the show “Mama’s Family,” so when she attempts to produce characters’ voices it sounds so exaggerated!


(5 stars)

Enlightening. A period of history I had no idea about. Great reading, thanks.


(5 stars)

I really enjoyed this book 📚