Audio books are great for catching up.
I read somewhere that the original publication of this book in 1852 helped launch the abolitionist movement in America. Eliza, dedicated and resourceful, escapes with her son. Pursued by professional slave hunters, she is helped by the underground. Meanwhile, Uncle Tom, a slave to the same compassionate family, is sold after the death of the head of the household. He is the head of his own small household, and the thought that such an unthinkable thing has happened is felt deeply by his family, and Stowe demonstrates much skill in eliciting reader empathy.