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book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Digital Audiobook performed by Andenrele Ojo.
5*****
Originally published in Canada as The Book of Negroes, Hill’s novel tells the story of Aminata Diallo from 1745 to 1802. Born a free Muslim in Guinea, she is kidnapped and sold into slavery, transported to the province of South Carolina to work the indigo fields. Her skill as a midwife makes her valuable and when she is sold to a wealthy Jewish merchant, she moves from the plantation to a city life in Charles Town. Eventually she travels to New York and gains her freedom, moving first to Nova Scotia, thence to London and traveling back to Africa, before finally settling in London.
What marvelous story telling! I was engaged and interested from beginning to end. I loved Aminata (a/k/a Meena). She’s intelligent, resourceful, emotionally and mentally strong. She’s also a keen observer and a good judge of character. She has the advantage of having been educated by her parents, so she knows how to read and write (in Arabic), and helping her mother as a midwife, she learned some of the other dialects / languages of her area of Africa. On the ship she learns English, then quickly picks up the Goolah dialect when she is on the indigo plantation. She never stops working toward her freedom and takes advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to achieve her goal for herself and her family. She always conducts herself with dignity and a fierce determination.
Hill does not sugarcoat the atrocities of slavery, nor the ingrained prejudices against and mistreatment of people of color. Aminata is blessed by relationships with some whites who are sympathetic, but her place as a slave and/or “lesser Negro” is always evident. Her skill as a midwife, coupled with her ability to read and write and keep books are assets that will help her navigate this new world, but she will not have an easy time of it. There are sickening scenes of brutality, but there are also scenes that show a loving family unit.
Hill populates the novel with a cast of memorable characters: the plantation overseer, the Jewish Lindo family, a free black tavern owner in New York, British officers, a ship’s surgeon, abolitionists and many slaves.
The book is based on historical events. There is a “Book of Negroes” in the archives of Canada and the United States, that lists the African men, women and children who worked for the British or behind British lines during the Revolutionary War. They were promised freedom for their services to the crown, and were transported to various colonies, but most went to Nova Scotia. From there, after years of bad treatment, Black Loyalists gathered to sail to Africa, where they founded Freetown, Sierra Leone. I’m glad I had the text available to read through the author’s notes and list of references, which are not included in the audio
The digital audio was performed by Andenrele Ojo, who did a marvelous job. I really felt as if Meena was telling me her story.
5*****
Originally published in Canada as The Book of Negroes, Hill’s novel tells the story of Aminata Diallo from 1745 to 1802. Born a free Muslim in Guinea, she is kidnapped and sold into slavery, transported to the province of South Carolina to work the indigo fields. Her skill as a midwife makes her valuable and when she is sold to a wealthy Jewish merchant, she moves from the plantation to a city life in Charles Town. Eventually she travels to New York and gains her freedom, moving first to Nova Scotia, thence to London and traveling back to Africa, before finally settling in London.
What marvelous story telling! I was engaged and interested from beginning to end. I loved Aminata (a/k/a Meena). She’s intelligent, resourceful, emotionally and mentally strong. She’s also a keen observer and a good judge of character. She has the advantage of having been educated by her parents, so she knows how to read and write (in Arabic), and helping her mother as a midwife, she learned some of the other dialects / languages of her area of Africa. On the ship she learns English, then quickly picks up the Goolah dialect when she is on the indigo plantation. She never stops working toward her freedom and takes advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to achieve her goal for herself and her family. She always conducts herself with dignity and a fierce determination.
Hill does not sugarcoat the atrocities of slavery, nor the ingrained prejudices against and mistreatment of people of color. Aminata is blessed by relationships with some whites who are sympathetic, but her place as a slave and/or “lesser Negro” is always evident. Her skill as a midwife, coupled with her ability to read and write and keep books are assets that will help her navigate this new world, but she will not have an easy time of it. There are sickening scenes of brutality, but there are also scenes that show a loving family unit.
Hill populates the novel with a cast of memorable characters: the plantation overseer, the Jewish Lindo family, a free black tavern owner in New York, British officers, a ship’s surgeon, abolitionists and many slaves.
The book is based on historical events. There is a “Book of Negroes” in the archives of Canada and the United States, that lists the African men, women and children who worked for the British or behind British lines during the Revolutionary War. They were promised freedom for their services to the crown, and were transported to various colonies, but most went to Nova Scotia. From there, after years of bad treatment, Black Loyalists gathered to sail to Africa, where they founded Freetown, Sierra Leone. I’m glad I had the text available to read through the author’s notes and list of references, which are not included in the audio
The digital audio was performed by Andenrele Ojo, who did a marvelous job. I really felt as if Meena was telling me her story.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful, heart-wrenching telling of one woman's epic journey over many miles and many years, hardship, loss, and change.
the_schaef's review against another edition
5.0
Historical fiction account of Aminata Diablo, a woman who was abducted into slavery at age 12. The story is told through her eyes and provides insight into the actual and emotional experience of slaves and slavery. While it is an upsetting issue to explore, with significant indignities, humiliations and upsetting moments, there are elements of beautiful hope, love and enduring relationships. It speaks of how the black community banded together to help each other when they could and of the incredible resilience of the human spirit.
mindoflucie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a brutal story that told the story of Aminata Diablo’s life. It follows her capture from Africa across the middle passage to the United States. Her experiences there are hard to comprehend in some places and her resilience, determination, survival it testament to her strength. The suffering and hardship in this book for made for a really difficult read.
I thought the writing made me believe she was not a character of fiction. Her voice resounded clearly to me and it look me longer to read than usual as I had to put it down a few times for a few days to process what i had read. It’s really unbelievable what life holds for some of us and slavery truly was despicable. I am a History teacher and i know a lot about the lives of those captured but this was such an in-depth description of horrendous behaviour that it really was taken aback.
This was a 4 star read for me. Heartbreaking to read, it also contained one paragraph which made me so angry I nearly threw my kindle across the floor. I did enjoy this book despite some bits being truly brutal.
I thought the writing made me believe she was not a character of fiction. Her voice resounded clearly to me and it look me longer to read than usual as I had to put it down a few times for a few days to process what i had read. It’s really unbelievable what life holds for some of us and slavery truly was despicable. I am a History teacher and i know a lot about the lives of those captured but this was such an in-depth description of horrendous behaviour that it really was taken aback.
This was a 4 star read for me. Heartbreaking to read, it also contained one paragraph which made me so angry I nearly threw my kindle across the floor. I did enjoy this book despite some bits being truly brutal.
kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
A big book (hardcover is 470 pages), and worth the investment. Beautifully written with a compelling narrative; a true page-turner. So many stories, most of which are lost but respectfully reimagined here. Also taught me chunks of history I hadn't before known -- from the Book of Negroes to the founding of Sierra Leone. Heartbreaking, and inspiring.
I had the advantage of being stuck in an airport for most of a day, so was able to read through this fairly quickly. In a perfect world, I would have taken longer to allow it all to soak in.
Highly recommend. It would also be a great choice for a book club. Lots of topics for discussion and further exploration.
I had the advantage of being stuck in an airport for most of a day, so was able to read through this fairly quickly. In a perfect world, I would have taken longer to allow it all to soak in.
Highly recommend. It would also be a great choice for a book club. Lots of topics for discussion and further exploration.
d52s's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all time favorite books. The gripping recount of the life of a young girl, abducted in Africa and brought to the states to become a slave.
ngreads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Really well written and believable book, great story, and really brings to light a lot of the horrors that happened during the slave trade in that time period in a gritty and strong way. My only protest is that the end of the book (in fact, the last 'book' in the book) felt really rushed to me, like the author just kinda wanted to get it done with. That is what is keeping me from giving it 5/5. Aside from that, awesome book.
Really well written and believable book, great story, and really brings to light a lot of the horrors that happened during the slave trade in that time period in a gritty and strong way. My only protest is that the end of the book (in fact, the last 'book' in the book) felt really rushed to me, like the author just kinda wanted to get it done with. That is what is keeping me from giving it 5/5. Aside from that, awesome book.
booksconnect's review against another edition
5.0
I believe this is my all-time favorite book.....partly because it was historical fiction-I learned sooo much..about the slave trade and the history behind it..and much of it took place in Nova Scotia-again-I learned a part of our history that I knew somewhat-but now I understand and have a new destination for the summer-Shelburne and Birchtown..I knew the basics but this book put it all together for me and put a face to the story-made it real to me..read it, read it, read it!!!!!!!! You willl not want to pull yourself away......this is what you want to discover when you read a book....at least it's the kind of book I am always hoping to find.....