Post-Oscar sales jump for 12 Years a Slave book

Book sales for 12 Years a Slave have skyrocketed after the Oscar success of the film adaption of the memoir.

From left to right: Producer Bianca Stigter, actress Sarah Paulson, director Steve McQueen, producer Arnon Milchan, actresses Lupita Nyong'o and Adepero Oduye accept the Best Picture award for 12 YearShow more

12 Years a Slave is getting a post-Oscar bump — for the book it was based on.

The 19th-century memoir by ex-slave Solomon Northup jumped from No 326 on Amazon.com before Sunday night's Academy Awards ceremony to No 19 on Monday afternoon.

The film was directed by Steve McQueen and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor. It was among last year's most highly praised releases and won the Oscar for best picture. It was the first film directed by a black person to win for best picture.

The book and the movie tell of how the freeborn black Northup was kidnapped and forced into slavery. Thanks to the movie’s success, interest in the book has been revived and public high schools are starting to add it to course lists.