Someone Knows My Name

By: Lawrence Hill

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

Aminata Diallo (“an amazing literary creation,” Literary Review of Canada) is the beguil­ing heroine of Lawrence Hill’s SOMEONE KNOWS MY NAME. In it, Hill exquisitely imagines the tale of an eighteenth-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

With grace and compassion, Hill populates true and harrowing experience with an authentic hero—just as good historical fiction requires.—Jennifer Berman, Bookforum

Astonishing in scope, humanity and beauty, this is one of those very rare novels in which the deep joy of reading transcends its time and place. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, Someone Knows My Name lets readers experience a life, one footstep at a time, beside an unforgettable protagonist. —Eileen Charbonneau, Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice

Stunning, wrenching and inspiring.... Hill handles the pacing and tension masterfully... [his] book is a harrowing, breathing tour de force.—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Surprisingly enjoyable and informative

Full of historical details and information, this book was not only educational but enjoyable.

Good read and beautiful story.

Loved the bittersweet story. Read this book twice and recommended it to a few. Only wish there was a part two.

AMAZING!

What made the experience of listening to Someone Knows My Name the most enjoyable?

The

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aminata Diallo is an amazing character. The author wrote in such a way that you can truly feel her pain.

Any additional comments?

This is a must read. It is a long book, but every minute is essential to really appreciating the whole story. Six decades are chronicled in 18 hours or reading. Every American citizen should read this story.

A Classic

Any additional comments?

This book should be listed as a classic, along the lines of The Grapes of Wrath, etc. Really riveting and well done. Highly recommend it.

Will make you appreciate Life in 21st century USA

his slave narrative was a hard book to read and I kept putting it down because of its depressing nature, and because I felt the story was told in a dry, exacting, and punishing tone. But finish it I did, and I feel like I am a better person for what I gained in knowledge, understanding and the appreciation of my many blessings. Well researched historical fiction, it is the amazing story of a fictional 11-year-old African girl stolen from her family and sold into slavery. The incidents are taken from actual events. It tells of her horrendous journey from Africa to South Carolina, to New York where she eventually gains her freedom, to Nova Scotia where there was an actual community for freed black slaves, to London, then back to Africa, and again to London where she is instrumental in helping to secure freedom and rights for the Negro people there. The title for the book comes from the ledger that the British used to record "loyal" slaves who were set free and sent to a black settlement Nova Scotia where they were welcome until an economic collapse brought about the first white attack on a black settlement. I felt the "happy" ending was a bit unrealistic and too contrived. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and would specifically like to learn more about slavery and Black history.
It made me appreciate all the wonderful blessings I have in my life. Overall, this was a great book.