The Book of Negroes discussion

Originally published in Canada as The Book of Negroes, published in the USA as Someone Knows My Name

I first heard about this book under its Canadian title, and silly me searched all over the internet trying to procure a copy, never realizing that it was the same book as Someone Knows My Name. So now I have a Canadian copy of Book of Negroes.

This is an amazing book! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Yes, it's a great book! I actually heard the author (Lawrence Hill) talk about the title change for the U.S. edition. He didn't really want to change the title but his publishers pressed on that "Negro" has different connotations in the U.S. than it does in Canada and so his publishers felt the book would do better if given another name. If anyone ever gets the chance to hear Lawrence Hill read from this book it's well worth going to see. He reads Aminata's voice so well.

Candice wrote: "Yes, it's a great book! I actually heard the author (Lawrence Hill) talk about the title change for the U.S. edition. He didn't really want to change the title but his publishers pressed on that ..."

Oh Wow! I would have loved to hear him read! I am going to see what I can track down online. This is really an excellent book!

Debbie wrote: "Candice wrote: "Yes, it's a great book! I actually heard the author (Lawrence Hill) talk about the title change for the U.S. edition. He didn't really want to change the title but his publishers ..."

Good idea! My Dad saw him read twice and said each time he was fantastic.

I will just be redundant and say it is a fantastic book regardless of which title you find.

I usually share my books after I've read them. Especially with friends who live outside of the USA and have difficulty finding good reads. This is one that I wanted to keep because I bought it in Canada under its original title and wanted to hang on to what I felt to be real. The Book of Negros does exist no matter what may or may not be considered politically correct here in the USA!
Loved the book, I am from the Caribbean and studied West Indian History which (obviously) included slavery and I would LOVE to be able to trace my family history especially the African side!

Jennifer, have you read Isabelle Allende's "Island Beneath the Sea?"

this was a great read!

I find it interesting that this book has two different title depending on what part of the world you are in. The Canadian author was allowed to call his book "the book of Negros" while every where else it was not that so. This book was interesting. It would be interesting if they would ever turn it into a movie.

I really enjoyed this book, but I realized as I was reading it and as I went through my daily life that I was in a really bad mood! I was so angry at all the injustices that not only Aminata but that so many Africans and African Americans experienced. It was an amazing book but I think this might be one of those books that I loved but will probably never read again. It's just so upsetting. However, I'd recommend it to anyone.

Phillip I must have missed that Allende book..love her work..will have to get it..since last posting on "Book of Negros" I had my DNA done..and am pursuing having my genealogy done via the Archives in Jamaica!!! As a West Indian..or better yet a Jamaican, always knew I had African blood running through my veins but can confirm that I am 36% West African and although that encompasses many countries I gives me a area on the map with which to work. Running across records on various ancestry sights is sad and exciting at the same time, especially those names that were handed down in family lore! Being from the West Indies we know Slavery is very much part of our history but for a reason that Napoleon Hill addressed in footnotes in his book we embrace it as our history. A horrid period in time for sure..but as all history we cannot go back and redo it. So I move on..back to Western Africa??? I'd love to go and touch the soil there...I better get going...!!!

Jacquie wrote: "These days I read more non-fiction than fiction. As I am tracing my genealogy, I have been reading many related books and was not sure I wanted to read this non-fiction work. I am very glad I did. ..."

Jacquie - I too love this book. What illustrations are in the hard copy? Maps, I imagine. Are there a lot of other illustrations?

FYI - This book was published under the title "Aminata" in French and a Dutch group actually burned the cover of the book under the name "The Book of Negroes". They did not have a problem with the content of the book just the title. Curious considering the Book of Negroes was an actual historical document. History is. Good or Bad it did happen.

Phillip wrote: "Jennifer, have you read Isabelle Allende's "Island Beneath the Sea?""

Candice wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Candice wrote: "Yes, it's a great book! I actually heard the author (Lawrence Hill) talk about the title change for the U.S. edition. He didn't really want to change the title but ..."

Phillip wrote: "Jennifer, have you read Isabelle Allend

Thank you Phillip for the heads up. I downloaded Island Beneath the Sea and it appears to be A jewel.

There is currently CBC miniseries airing on Wednesday nights that is adapted from this book. So far 3 shows have aired of 7 total. It is well done.