Someone Knows My Name

By: Lawrence Hill

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Aminata Diallo is the beguiling heroine of Lawrence Hill's Someone Knows My Name. In it, Hill exquisitely imagines the tale of an 18th-century woman's life, spanning six decades and three continents. The fascinating story that Hill tells is a work of the soul and the imagination. Aminata is a character who will stir listeners, from her kidnapping from Africa through her journeys back and forth across the ocean.

Enslaved on a South Carolina plantation, Aminata works in the indigo fields and as a mid­wife. When she is bought by an entrepreneur from Charleston, she is torn from friends and family. The chaos of the Revolutionary War allows her to escape.

In British-held Manhattan, she helps pen the Book of Negroes, a list of blacks rewarded for wartime service to the king with safe passage to Nova Scotia. During her travels in Canada, Sierra Leone, and England, Aminata strives for her freedom and that of her people - even when it comes at a price.

In this captivating novel, Hill portrays one woman's remarkable spirit and strength in the face of adversity, and he brings to life crucial and little-known chapters in world history.

©2007 Lawrence Hill (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Hill's depiction of [Aminata's] journey to freedom is a powerful tale of pride and perseverance." (Sara Nelson, Oprah.com)

"A masterpiece, daring and impressive in its geographic, historical and human reach." (Globe and Mail)

"Lawrence Hill's hugely impressive historical work is completely engrossing and deserves a wide, international readership." (Delia Jarrett-Macauley, Washington Post)

Excellent and informative

More people need to read this book. Although it’s fiction, some of the stories and events could be true and are heartbreaking.

Education

Beautiful work and enlightening I hope the world learns to be more kind thank you

From the kidnapping to the grave

A very interesting saga. You are given an example of what took place in the lives of those who were kidnapped from their villages and sold into slavery. One challenge right after another. It was excellent.

Roots revisited

I enjoyed the semi-historical content of this book but to me seemed at times to be out of chronological dating.
This book made me sad, happy, proud, hopeful and aware of how strong "roots" can be and how at times they may keep you going.

Thought that this book would be a good companion read to BROTHER FISH by Bryce Courtenay.

Beginning is a little slow, but stick with it!

The beginning of the book moves a bit slowly, but stick with it because the rest of the book is excellent! The characters are rich, and you feel as if you are right there with them in the story. Lawrence Hill has done a wonderful job with this book! The narrator's voice is perfect; everyone should give this book a chance.

Vivid Journey....Excellent Written Work!

This book was powerful, and although over 18 hours long--it will keep your attention the entire time. The author wrote this book as if painting an oil painting--you could easily formulate the scenes in your mind, and the narrator is well gifted.

Best book I have listened to since the Book of Night Women.

What an incredible story full of authentic information which is raw and heartbreaking. Anyone who reads this story will absorb complete understanding of how the souls from Africa and slaves for hundreds of years were forced to live.

Emotional Journey

Simply the best audiobook I've listened to in years. Words can't describe the emotions I felt while listening to the tale of one, knowing many of my ancestors have also gone through a similar journey.

Incredibly moving story

I can't say enough good about this audible book. The story, the performance, the curiosity to know and understand more were all exceptional. I was sorry when it ended. The narrator was fantastic and gave the main character Aminita aka Mina a reality that sent me wondering if this were not a memoir and not someone's fictional portrayal of events. it was so well described in every detail. I can't wait to read more by Lawrence Hill. His talent is awesome and his story-telling is powerful.

I could not put it down!

As someone who lived in west Africa, this is a true account of a Fulani woman stolen from her land into the abhorrent hands of slave traders. I could not put it down. This is a true masterpiece.