Book of the Month - Book of Negroes

The Book of Negroes is an award winning novel written by Canadian Lawrence Hill. It chronicles the life story of Aminata Diallo. Told in first person her story begins as she is in the last chapter of her life. She recounts the memories of her childhood in West Africa and tells us of her abduction, the march to the sea, her life as a slave in South Carolina, her trials and tribulations right up until her eventual freedom in London, England where she records her name in the historic British ledger “Book of Negroes”. It is a poignant story that does not soften the realities of what life might have been like for many people who were torn from their families and forced into labor.

This brilliant book won the 2008 Commonwealth Writer’s prize and the 2007 Rogers Writer’s Trust Fiction Prize. It was also chosen to be the Canada reads for 2009. The Eleanor London Cote Saint Luc Public Library is honored to have Mr. Hill speak at the Library June 18, 2009.

If you have not had the chance to read this book then come in and let us know.