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Benefits
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Someone Knows My Name: A Novel
Was it luck, timing, or intelligence that so influenced the course of Aminata Diallo's life? Most would argue that it was all three. Aminata Diallo was an 11 year old African girl who is captured while returning to her village after "catching a baby" with her mother. Aminata has no idea what is happening. She becomes scared and confused as she walks for 3 months to the slave ship which takes her far from home. This one episode of bad luck and bad timing set off a course of events which impact thousands.
We travel with her during the arduous journey and watch as she is sold to an Indigo plantation owner. On the plantation, Aminata is taken in by Gloria, the local medicine woman/baby catcher. Through Gloria she learns how to survive on the plantation. Gloria is an incredible character and one can devote an entire book just to her.
Aminata learns quickly how to communicate with fellow slaves so their owner can't understand and she also learns the owner's language ? never revealing this knowledge, at least not until the exact moment when it will both help and hurt her. Aminata also incorporates knowledge from everyone she encounters. She subtly takes in everything around her and calls upon her accumulating wisdom at different points in her life.
Lawrence Hill takes us on Aminata's journey through Charlestown, New York City, Nova Scotia, back to Africa and to London. We not only experience life through her eyes, but we see the history of slaves ? captured and freed, abolitionists, and slave masters during this very tragic period in history. Hill also illustrates the dichotomies and conflicts of all people (specifically in Africa, North America, and England) involved in both capturing and freeing of slaves.
This book is rich with history and emotion. Once started, it takes the reader on a journey unimaginable today.
Ann Lustig is an avid reader who balances her life between a career, family and friends. Look for more of Ann's reviews on Fabulously40.com Ann welcomes your comments and feedback on her reviews.
This book sounds fascinating.
I love the idea of the perspective from the child. Following the progression of the story from her eyes is bound to be interesting; as the child matures I would expect that the perspective would, too.
Thanks for sharing this one with us, Annie! The timing couldn’t be better, since we just got a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card tonight so I’m making a list of books.
This book does sound interesting. I will add it to my list Annie...but give me some time now...LOL
MC
It sounds like a good book . I got a gift card for Christmas. I can’t wait to use it. Thanks
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