Firstly, this is a pretty huge book and my predictions, although correct, were only the beginning! I can’t tell you how many amazing, horrifying, heart-throbbing, electrifying twists and turns have occurred during this second quarter of the book! My prediction was that the slaves would revolt and try to escape, but their knowledge of the outside world, beyond that of their village tribes, was virtually non-existent. This part of the book was slightly horrifying, especially because I find that I can really hear the voice of the main character as I read the novel.
I can’t say just one or two, or even five things I enjoy about this novel. I could likely write an in-depth review on it when I am done. The detail, the character work, everything is exceptional. One thing I have really noticed is how the main character, who is relaying her past, changes the way she speaks and describes things as the story progresses. It’s as if you are learning to speak English, and read and write with her. Like I mentioned earlier, I can really hear the voice of the main character, as if she was telling me the story herself right next to me. Although the main character, Aminata, is not really described as she is now, worn and aged many years, I can see her perfectly, just with the way she speaks. Another thing that I love about the novel is that not only is it entertaining, it’s REAL. I mean, not in a true story word for word kind of way, but in a raw, deep, passionate, vulgar, disgusting, melodic, beautiful way! Haha
I have to admit, although this book is one hundred percent worth it, there are some parts of the book that are really hard to take. I can’t decide whether her lack of elaboration is better or worse because it shows her innocence. When I read any kind of literature, I definitely engross myself in it, but I rarely get so compelled that I get emotional. With “The Book of Negroes” there were times where I almost felt ill, and I think it is because all of this happened to real people, real human beings. They were treated as animals, they were put on display, and they were paraded around like cattle, auctioned off, treated no better than the dirt they lived on. I have seen that there will be a movie based on the book coming out in 2012, but I guarantee nothing could match the book. You could have the best directors, producers, actors and you still couldn’t beat this book!
It took me awhile to find my favourite quote, but I think my favourite one was the most simple. “That, I decided, was what it meant to be a slave. Your past didn’t matter, in the present you were invisible, and you had no claim on your future.” I think that I love this quote because at this point in the book you are finally feeling like things are going in the right direction, finally coming down from the climax, after climax, after climax, and then all of a sudden, she has this realization. This is her life. It’s almost an acceptance in my eyes. This is her life now, and she might as well make the best of what she has.
I have to say I have made too many personal connections with this character to count, and I think that is what draws me to this book so deeply. I didn’t have the best life thus far, but I’m not complaining, because it made me who I am. I am confident with whom I am, and I know that I am strong, and independent. When I was 7 my mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to have her first surgery. I had three younger brothers, one 4 years old, and two twin boys only about 8 or 9 months old. All three of them were only my half-siblings, but I never thought of it that way. Since my mother was so sick, I had to take care of my siblings, I learned how to do everything, and without much help. My whole family was still in Ireland, and we lived in London, Ontario in a little complex of townhouses. It wasn’t always easy, and at times I had to take care of my mother more than my siblings, but we made it through. My mother made a lot of mistakes in her life, and I only learned from them. We had no money, and I often had to miss school, but it never stopped me from striving to learn as much as I could. I loved learning. As of today, my mother has made it through 9 brain surgeries! And she is still tickin’! Due to my childhood, my mother and I don’t have the best relationship, but I will never stop trying. Aminata is strong, and stubborn, and won’t let anyone push her down, and I try to be more and more like that every day.
If I were to make some predictions about the remainder of the book, I would guess that Jakura won’t come back, that something terrible will happen to him, but I am also going to guess that whilst in New York with Lindo, she attempts to escape. I don’t think she will have a successful attempt, but an attempt none-the-less. I cannot stress enough how much this book opens your eyes, and not only makes you realize what you take for granted, but how happy you can be without the materialistic world we live in. I have received so many messages from this book, and I hope that you do too! J
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