The Illustrated Book Of Negroes (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
I know most people loved this book. I wanted to love it. I enjoyed parts of it; I just didn't love it. The first part of the book has been told so many times before - we have all read other, better books that detail the horrors of slavery. Aminata was a sympathetic heroine; the problem was that Aminata just wasn't quite real. Perhaps this was because a male author was writing the thoughts and feelings of a female character and it didn't quite ring true. The part of the story that should have been extremely interesting, the part that has not been written about over and over, was the transportation of the freed slaves to Nova Scotia and, subsequently, to Sierra Leonne. The author seemed to run out of creatve juices by this point and, although well researched, the story lost interest and credibility because the character of Aminata became more of a caricature and less of a believable woman. I wound up skimming through the last part, anxious for the book to end in anything but a very predictable fashion. I know most people loved this book. I wanted to love it. I enjoyed parts of it; I just didn't love it. The first part of the book has been told so many times before - we have all read other, better books that detail the horrors of slavery. Aminata was a sympathetic heroine; the problem was that Aminata just wasn't quite real. Perhaps this was because a male author was writing the thoughts and feelings of a female character and it didn't quite ring true. The part of the story that should have been extremely interesting, the part that has not been written about over and over, was the transportation of the freed slaves to Nova Scotia and, subsequently, to Sierra Leonne. The author seemed to run out of creatve juices by this point and, although well researched, the story lost interest and credibility because the character of Aminata became more of a caricature and less of a believable woman. I wound up skimming through the last part, anxious for the book to end in anything but a very predictable fashion.
What do You think about The Illustrated Book Of Negroes (2011)?
Fortunately, I am not smart enough or educated enough (probably neither) to see the flaws mentioned by some of the critical reviewers of this book. Instead, the story pulled me in. I was impressed by the historical accuracy, appalled by the brutality and enthralled by the pathos in the story of Aminata Diallo. (I'm sorry for the unintended rhyming of my review....!!) Perhaps I haven't read enough books on the subject of slavery to be a good judge but I felt the author delivered this story in spades. Aminata faced a slew of challenges and survived at great odds but that did not stretch belief for me - history has its heroes and survivors, and she happens to be one of them. She and the other characters came alive for me. I consider Lawrence Hill to be a great storyteller and this book held my interest for the duration. This is one of the better books I've read this year!
—Ab123
Fantastic book. Although unsettling how human being can treat other human being. Book I read was titled " book of Negroes" which was the title given by the canadian author. The title relates to a British document thar lists the people that were given passage to Nova Scotia to live as free people. When the book was published in other countries the title was changed in order to politically correct.
—imnothakyong
This is an extraordinary work of historical fiction. It is now one of my favorite all time books.
—Coleman_300
Astonishing, uncomfortable, heartbreaking .... a whirlwind of emotions.
—Isis
Amazing One of the best books I have ever read
—Loe
