In 2007 it was long listed for the Giller and won the Rogers Writers Trust Award in 2007. This novel has major prizes attached to it. Knowing that she survives each horrific stage of the novel makes it easier to read since we don’t have to worry about her quite as much.ĥ. The novel begins near the end of Aminata’s life as she reflects back on her amazing journey. Did you know Africans were involved in the slave trade? Do you know what goes into making indigo? Did you know that Nova Scotians weren’t as accepting of the Black Loyalists as we would like to believe? Do you know just how many ships left NYC loaded with Black Loyalists? Did you know those Black Loyalists who made it back to Sierra Leone were seen as outsiders – belonging to neither North America nor Africa?Ĥ. You will agree with the reviewers who place her in the same league as Hagar Shipley from Margaret Lawrence’s The Stone Angel and Anna Karenina as unforgettable female protagonists.ģ. Aminata is a fascinating character who never wallows in any self-pity – even when most of us would be unable to pick up the pieces and move on. At each step of the way you will be unable to put this book down.Ģ. He will take you on a journey from Africa, across the Atlantic to the American South to New York City to NS to Sierra Leone and on to London. Haven’t read The Book of Negroes yet? Wondering if it lives up to all the hype? It does! Here are 5 more reasons you should read this soon-to-be classicġ.

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill