Finding La Negrita

by Natasha Gordon-Chipembere

Finding La Negrita is a captivating retelling of the Black Madonna narrative, which has driven Costa Rica's national and spiritual identity since the 1700s. In powerful prose, Natasha Gordon-Chipembere delivers a vivid and intimate living portrait of slavery in this nation, which was radically different from plantation bondage in other parts of the Americas.

Meet Dakarai, a famed African sculptor who must buy his freedom once he is stolen into slavery and separated from his newborn daughter, Jendayi. Her mother has died in childbirth, in the hold of a Middle Passage ship. Husband and child are left to reconcile their grief over her absence and forge a life somehow in the New World. Finding La Negrita spans time and space as it captures Dakarai and Jendayi's reunion, one ripe with the secrets and sacrifices a single father confronts while raising a strong-minded young girl, in an era with a precarious line between freedom and enslavement. In those margins, and unbeknownst to each other, they both dare to pursue dangerous new loves beyond the limits of what colonial society will permit. But at what cost to themselves and each other?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novels, Spirituality

332 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2022

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Finding La Negrita” by Natasha Gordon Chipembere is a captivating exploration of Afro-Costa Rican history that I highly recommend. Chipembere’s narrative skillfully brings to light new perspectives on the building of our country, weaving together personal stories and historical insights in a way that is both enlightening and inspiring. Through vivid storytelling, the book embraces Afro-Costa Rican history, shedding light on often overlooked aspects of our nation’s past and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Costa Ricans. As I read, I found myself deeply inspired by the resilience and strength of the characters, and moved by their journey to reclaim their identity. “Finding La Negrita” is a must-read for anyone interested in delving deeper into Costa Rican history and culture, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing and honoring all aspects of our collective heritage.

[Delanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fascinating historical fiction of colonial Costa Rica in the 1600s. A lot of immense love and immense pain. A story of slavery and of paths intertwining. I really enjoyed the story, got to know the characters, and appreciated the complexity of the experience in this era in La Gotera/Cartago. I found it because a local book store here in Costa Rica has chosen it as their February pick, and the author will be joining the book chat. :)

[Carla Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I learned so much about colonial times and slavery in Costa Rica through a wonderfully told historic novel. Natasha Gordon-Chipembere carefully created the characters in the book and you just can´t stop reading. The story of La Negrita is retold from a perspective that was missing from the social narrative! I hope more students read it in our schools soon

[Rori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Susan Yawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a triumph Gordon-Chipembere has achieved in weaving her research and writing into a compelling, moving novel. I was immediately drawn into the varied worlds her characters inhabited. At times, Finding La Negrita read like a mystery (one of my fav genres) yet told one of the many important stories of the African Diaspora. Her writing is beautiful and what comes through so clearly is deep love for her people for all they have had to bear witness to and survived. This books needs to be translated into Spanish.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivid story in an interesting setting, one I haven’t really read anything in. Great plot and pacing but the writing was a little awkward at times.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful, well-researched historical fiction that illustrates the little-known history of slavery in Costa Rica with a reimagined version of the discovery of Costa Rica's Black Madonna, La Negrita. The story is a beautiful story of love in its many forms and a great read.