First Book Review for 2014! The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

An extensive first person perspective on the slave trade.

This story is a journey that the reader takes along with Aminata Diallo beginning in a small village in Africa and all the way to England as she provides her account for the abolitionists' movement. It is a long journey with a desire in mind to always return home and regain her freedom. How do you return to your home when it isn't even marked on a map?

Aminita is uprooted from all she knows at the age of 11 and forced into slavery. We are with her as she is on the ship traveling to an unknown destination and are witness to the many trials in her life. Through all of it, Aminita is a clever survivor who makes the best of every situation to continue to lift herself. Although life as a slave is a horrific fate, she does not let it define her and uses every opportunity to learn and grow, with whatever resources are availed to her. Finding freedom becomes more than simply being free from slavery.

This is a well written book and I found myself able to identify with the lead character even if her life was completely different than anything I have experienced. The settings are descriptive and the characters are well developed. This was a good one that I highly recommend.