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486
Novel • Fiction
Sierra Leone • 1700s
2007
Adult
18+ years
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill follows Aminata Diallo, a young girl from West Africa, who is abducted by slave traders, endures the horrors of the Middle Passage, and is sold into slavery in America. Her journey spans from South Carolina to New York, Nova Scotia, and eventually London, documenting her resilience and the transformative power of language as she seeks freedom and justice. This book contains depictions of slavery, violence, and sexual assault.
Emotional
Challenging
Inspirational
Contemplative
Heartwarming
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill has received acclaim for its vivid storytelling and historical depth, capturing the harrowing journey of an African woman enslaved in America. Reviewers praise its emotional impact and well-researched narrative. However, some found the pacing uneven and certain characters underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a powerful and insightful read.
Someone who appreciates richly detailed historical fiction and strong, resilient protagonists will enjoy Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved or Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad will find this profound story of struggle, identity, and freedom captivating and intellectually stimulating.
Chekura
Aminata's husband and father of her children, Chekura is a caring and persistent figure who finds ways to reconnect with Aminata despite the physical and social barriers of enslavement.
John Clarkson
A British naval officer and abolitionist, Clarkson is depicted as a compassionate ally who plays a significant role in Aminata’s later life and provides support to her and her community.
Robinson Appleby
The owner of an indigo plantation, Appleby is portrayed as a cruel slave owner who exerts control over Aminata and others under his ownership.
Solomon Lindo
A Jewish indigo inspector and Aminata's second owner, Lindo offers her a more comfortable life and opportunities, though he remains complicit in the system of slavery.
Georgia
A motherly figure to Aminata, Georgia is a healer and midwife who provides her essential support and knowledge during Aminata’s early years of enslavement.
May
Aminata and Chekura’s daughter, who grows up learning from her mother and becomes an important figure in Aminata's later life.
486
Novel • Fiction
Sierra Leone • 1700s
2007
Adult
18+ years
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