• Someone Knows My Name

  • By: Lawrence Hill
  • Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo
  • Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,639 ratings)

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)

What listeners say about Someone Knows My Name

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Something we should all read

We should never repeat history therefore we should all read about slavery- tragic to say the least. An 11 year old child- awful

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The narration was simply beautiful.

This book and the narration literally transports you into the character’s life. It was extraordinary and a must.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite book of the year

Loved this story about a young girl taken from Africa into slavery and her journey through life. It is a great history lesson and will make you ashamed to hear how the blacks were treated during this time. I especially adored the reader, like a young Maya Angelou. Captivating story and beautifully written.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I want to retell it as it it were my own

Wonderfully imaginative epic; extremely detailed and informative. I look forward to listening to the entire story again, its that great, you get lost in it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good read...

Good book with a happy ending. This book made me cry, laugh and made me feel uncomfortable at times. Our history can be cruel and eye opening when it is revealed.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • G.
  • 07-05-08

good

This is an ambitious story, which pretty much succeeds. The crossing of continents, and life stories are all interesting. The story is a little far-fetched, but setting that aside is easy given the fine writing. I just felt the story grow a little absurd at the end, and grew bored. But the book doesn't stand on it's end.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it💗

I was totally captivated. An amazing and important piece of literature. I loved it! Great narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

This audio was recommended to me for a long ride. It lasted to and from my destination and several rides to and from work. I didn't want to leave my car. Absolutely Superb!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story beautifully and lovingly told

My granddaughter recommended that I read this book. She is 13. I listened to it and so appreciated the wonderful art of Adenrele Ojo and the story written by Lawrence Hill. We listened to some of it together. The descriptions throughout the book made a story that needed to be told and heard authentic and powerful. Highly recommended by me and by my amazing granddaughter.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing

It's a terrible wonderful story, read by a master narrator. I highly recommend it. you won't be disappointed.

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