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    The Book of Negroes

    By Lawrence Hill

    I bought the illustrated edition for Mr. Wonderful for Christmas *ahem* (or myself?) :H
    Beautifully written and illustrated and covers a part of Canadian history that I know little about.

    The History Behind the Novel

    Lawrence Hill's novel is inspired by a fascinating but little known historical document called the Book of Negroes, copies of which can be found in the USA at the New York Public Library, the Rockefeller Library at Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia) and the U.S. National Archives in Washington D.C. In Canada, copies of the same historical document can be found in the Nova Scotia Public Archives and in the National Archives of Canada. Lawrence Hill wrote a feature article called "Freedom Bound" about the historical document The Book of Negroes in the February/March 2007 edition of The Beaver: Canada's History Magazine.

    Lawrence Hill spoke with CBC Arts Online about the history and his novel. You can read the interview at Lawrence Hill discusses The Book of Negroes - CBC Arts | Books.

    Reviews from Canada

    "The Book of Negroes is a masterpiece, daring and impressive in its geographic, historical and human reach, convincing in its narrative art and detail, necessary for imagining the real beyond the traces left by history."
    The Globe and Mail

    "Aminata is a heroic figure, a little larger than life, residing within and outside of history. You can never forget this character. She embeds herself in your heart."
    The Toronto Star

    "Anna Karenina. Hagar Shipley. Aminata Diallo....the exclusive club that includes literature's most memorable characters now has a remarkable new member."
    The Calgary Herald

    "In Aminata Diallo, who evolves from stolen village child to the conscience of abolition, writer Lawrence Hill has crafted one of the most memorable female characters in Canadian fiction.... And here's how readers will come to know this ? Aminata tends to linger long after the book's been finished and put aside....The Book of Negroes is thoughtful, stirring, saddening, resplendent and joyful. It's an evocative tome, and among the best in our fiction."
    The Hamilton Spectator

    "Hill's engaging narrator and the scope of her trajectory make this novel a truly compelling read. It is, however, Hill's ability to observe the multi-faceted issue of race with sensitivity, compassion and a keen sense of justice, that makes The Book of Negroes not just a good book, but a great one ? worthy of every honour it is sure to receive."
    The Montreal Gazette

    Reviews from the U.S.A.

    "Lawrence Hill's hugely impressive historical work is completely engrossing and deserves a wide, international readership."
    Washington Post

    "[A] wonderfully written fictional slave narrative?populated by vivid characters and rendered in fascinating detail."
    The New York Times

    "Astonishing in scope, humanity and beauty, this is one of those very rare novels in which the deep joy of reading transcends its time and place...Someone Knows My Name lets readers experience a life, one footstep at a time, beside an unforgettable protagonist."
    Editors' Choice, Historical Novels Review

    "Stunning, wrenching and inspiring...Hill's book is a harrowing, breathtaking tour de force."
    Publisher's Weekly (starred review)
    Okay, WHO put a stop payment on my reality check?

    Winning since October 24th, 2013

    #2
    The Book of Negroes

    I really should read this book. It gets such wonderful reviews and Lawrence Hill has done readings for me at the library. He is a a lovely man with an interesting family life. Did you know he is Dan Hill's brother? I am going to check it out. Thanks for recommending it.

    Comment


      #3
      The Book of Negroes

      Hey Sidney.. no, I did not know that!

      I am really enjoying this book - aside from this very endearing main character, the illustrations and reproductions of original documents makes it very interesting
      Okay, WHO put a stop payment on my reality check?

      Winning since October 24th, 2013

      Comment


        #4
        The Book of Negroes

        I love this book. It's one of my favourite novels ever. I didn't know there was an illustrated edition available!
        Sober since 2nd November 2010!

        "Life is a mirror of your thoughts and beliefs. It simply reflects YOUR truth, your reality."sigpic

        Comment


          #5
          The Book of Negroes

          Sunshine.....I understand that your from Canada.......But that word is quite a sore subject here in the states. They decided in their politcoal correctness....that were going to re...write Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer....The word Nigger was used too many times. I am the father of a high school kid and have attened many of their functions.......I have heard Blacks use the word Nigger as a term of endirement.......Go fiquire....Tony
          ?Be who you are and say what you feel because
          those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.?
          Dr. Seuss

          Comment


            #6
            The Book of Negroes

            IAD;1036680 wrote: Sunshine.....I understand that your from Canada.......But that word is quite a sore subject here in the states. They decided in their politcoal correctness....that were going to re...write Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer....The word Nigger was used too many times. I am the father of a high school kid and have attened many of their functions.......I have heard Blacks use the word Nigger as a term of endirement.......Go fiquire....Tony
            I find the N-word really offensive and wonder why you even felt the need to use it here. It's well known that *some* black people use a variation of it to each other and when used in this way it is written "nigga". It is very similar to the way some women, especially some younger women (of all races) will greet each other jokingly by saying "what's up bitch?" etc etc. Obviously it's a jokey term of endearment between friends. It would not be acceptable for a stranger to approach a woman and say, "what's up bitch?"

            But surely we all know this anyway?
            Sober since 2nd November 2010!

            "Life is a mirror of your thoughts and beliefs. It simply reflects YOUR truth, your reality."sigpic

            Comment


              #7
              The Book of Negroes

              Your right breaking........But never the less....my youngest son had to read both those books....uncencored....and talk about in class. As a Puerto Rican I too find the word Offensive. But that as it may it's used all the time by blacks, Hispanics...etc in their normal conversation....I live in an Urban enviorement......that's the way it is........
              ?Be who you are and say what you feel because
              those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.?
              Dr. Seuss

              Comment


                #8
                The Book of Negroes

                Well, in the US, Australia, and New Zealand the book was released as "Someone knows my name" - because it apparently is inappropriate to repeat the name of a historical document nowadays.

                I also take offense to the 'n' word, in the same way I object to a woman being referred to as a 'ho'. However, to refuse the use of the real title of the book (and the document) I find rather ridiculous.

                I'm actually very glad that Lawrence Hill (who is of mixed race) shed a little more light on the slave era in Canada. Canadians are quite smug and proud of the Underground Railroad, etc.. and often completely ignore or forget the fact that the slave trade was as alive and well here as it was south of the border.
                Okay, WHO put a stop payment on my reality check?

                Winning since October 24th, 2013

                Comment


                  #9
                  The Book of Negroes

                  IAD;1036690 wrote: Your right breaking........But never the less....my youngest son had to read both those books....uncencored....and talk about in class. As a Puerto Rican I too find the word Offensive. But that as it may it's used all the time by blacks, Hispanics...etc in their normal conversation....I live in an Urban enviorement......that's the way it is........
                  Uncensored... are you suggesting that all literature available in schools should be censored?
                  Okay, WHO put a stop payment on my reality check?

                  Winning since October 24th, 2013

                  Comment


                    #10
                    The Book of Negroes

                    breaking_the_cycle;1036677 wrote: I love this book. It's one of my favourite novels ever. I didn't know there was an illustrated edition available!
                    Hey Breaking... this book is huge... around 400 photographs, illustrations, copies of letters, paintings, documents, etc...
                    Okay, WHO put a stop payment on my reality check?

                    Winning since October 24th, 2013

                    Comment


                      #11
                      The Book of Negroes

                      Hi Sunshine........yes, a school system in Texas I believe is teaching a sanitize re-writing Huckleberry Fin and Tom Sawyer. I'm sure you are aware of how many times the N word was used in them books. The word....was also used as one of inderment, according to the times in Huck Fin.
                      ?Be who you are and say what you feel because
                      those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.?
                      Dr. Seuss

                      Comment


                        #12
                        The Book of Negroes

                        Definately one of my very favorite books! I did not know that there was an illustrated version. I will have to check it out next time I am in the book store.

                        Comment

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