No matter how poor literature it was, it was instrumental in ending salvery in this country.

It's a pretty bad book, even by the standards of a Victorian melodrama.

It's importance is historical, not literary.

It's been a while since I read it, but it hardly qualified as "great" literature. Most if not all of the characters were little more than stereotypes. The style of writing was less than inspired (although its overall impact was definitely inspiring). More important, I think, as a sort of historical document than it is as literature. When Abe Lincoln met Stowe, the author of the book, he said to her, "So this is the little woman who made this big war."

It's about a journey in the life of a slave named Tom who goes through three masters, his last one being the cruel and demonic Simon Legree (spelling?) who wouldn't even let him attend church, spend time in his household, or even breathe the same air as him. It's a very touching novel.

It was touching and heartbreaking. It was banned for being brutally honest about what happened to slaves in the South, but that's the reason it needs to be read. It really brings it all to life.