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xandrarama's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Harrowing, as expected, but also a fascinating glimpse into pieces of history I knew almost nothing about (the Black Loyalists of Nova Scotia, Freetown in Sierra Leone). Perhaps due to the scope of the book (the protagonist's entire life) and its framing (as a fictional autobiography), the character development wasn't strong and this meant that my engagement remained more cognitive than emotional. Still a worthwhile read.
dhoofwijk's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
joypouros's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The book follows an African born former slave who, now near the end of her life, is telling her life story to help the abolitionists.
She was born in Bayo Africa, kidnapped at age 11, forced to march for three months to the harbor where she is sent via slave ship to the Americas.
There, she is sold to an indigo plantation, then to a Jewish indigo inspector. On a trip to New York with her owner, she runs away. During the American Revolution, she aligns with the loyalists who promise freedom, but when Britain loses she must join the exodus to other British territories and ends up in Nova Scotia.
When promises go unfulfilled there, she takes an opportunity to go back to Africa as a free community in Sierra Leon.
Throughout, she tries to reunite with her husband and the children who are stolen from her. It is a heartbreaking life, yet she is among the more fortunate slaves because she came into bondage with useful skills that make her valuable and easy to trade with.
The book offers an educating and fascinating perspective of the slave trade and American Revolution. It has a pleasant writing style.
She was born in Bayo Africa, kidnapped at age 11, forced to march for three months to the harbor where she is sent via slave ship to the Americas.
There, she is sold to an indigo plantation, then to a Jewish indigo inspector. On a trip to New York with her owner, she runs away. During the American Revolution, she aligns with the loyalists who promise freedom, but when Britain loses she must join the exodus to other British territories and ends up in Nova Scotia.
When promises go unfulfilled there, she takes an opportunity to go back to Africa as a free community in Sierra Leon.
Throughout, she tries to reunite with her husband and the children who are stolen from her. It is a heartbreaking life, yet she is among the more fortunate slaves because she came into bondage with useful skills that make her valuable and easy to trade with.
The book offers an educating and fascinating perspective of the slave trade and American Revolution. It has a pleasant writing style.
lmhoylman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
spylita_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A truly beautiful book following the story of Aminata Diallo and her experiences in the transatlantic slave trade. Hill has crafted a character and story that are unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Slavery, and Child death
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
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
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