Book Review: The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
Read for: The Canadian Book Challenge
I’m not really sure where to start with this one. This is an incredible book and one that I think everyone should read. It’s also an important book. This book won the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for best overall book in 2008 and it definitely deserves it.
Ok, enough raving about the book. It’s an important book because of the subject matter. The book is about the slave trade and I think it’s really important that we not forget how truly disgusting that whole period in history was.
But, (and I think more importantly) the book was incredible because it was captivating and interesting. Aminata, the main character, was lovable and strong and smart and believable. The novel tells the story of Aminata’s life, from the time she was brutally seized from her family and her life, forced to walk across the country, naked and poorly fed, branded and then pushed onto a ship to cross the ocean. Once in America, she was sold to an indigo plantation. After being sold again, she ends up a runaway in New York City, and lands herself in the Book of Negroes, for loyalty to the British Government.
And here’s where the Canadian history begins. Many Canadians know who the Loyalists were but I had never heard of the Black Loyalists before. Just before the British left America for good, the blacks of NYC were promised that if they had served the British cause for at least a year, that they would be considered free and would be transported by boat to Nova Scotia, where they would be given land to farm. 3000 blacks were listed in the Book of Negroes (which is transcribed here) and were shipped to Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, the land was slow in coming and the Black Loyalists lived a similar existence in Canada as they had previously. Several years later, 1200 of those Black Loyalists travelled back to Africa to found a colony called Freetown in Sierra Leone.
Aminata has always dreamed of going back to Africa so she joins the colony. Once back in Africa she finds that things aren’t quite the way she was expecting them to be and she travels to England to help the abolitionists. This is more than just an accounting of the journey Aminata makes. The book also tells of many of her struggles and the tragedies that befall her as a result of her colour. This book could have been really depressing but it wasn’t. It was really a beautiful read. I just can’t say enough about how much I loved this one! This definitely gets a 10/10!
Has anyone else read this book? What did you think?
Tags: Africa, Aminata Diallo, Lawrence Hill
August 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
This book has become even more popular here in NS since winning Canada Reads; awfully hard to get your hands on a library copy anyway! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
August 26th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi Lahni! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I noticed right away that you had the same name as the main character in WHEN THE BLACK GIRL SINGS. In fact, it weirded me out a little – it was like a fictional character coming to life. LOL!
Thanks for this recommendation. It looks like an incredible book. I will definitely look for it.
September 6th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Great review! It was on my wish list already, but your review has encouraged me to seek out a copy soon. I hope I enjoy it as much as you did.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:34 am
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, and your review makes me want to read it even faster!
June 22nd, 2010 at 2:32 am
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I haven’t read this book though I have heard nothing but good things. But I can’t read anything that might have cruelty to animals.
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This book was captivating, to say the least. I also loved the history lesson.