AlhumduliLlah, this Eid I received something special.. a book! Books are special.. aren't they? Although I don't really like to read fictional* books, because I feel I'm wasting time if I can't get anything useful out of it.. this one is different. It's amazing yet depressing. Very depressing.. but I finished it with a heart of gratitude. Allah has made our life so easy, alhumduliLlah.
Title: The Book of Negroes (note: this books also goes under the name "Someone Knows My Name ")
Author: Lawrence Hill
Available: Amazon
Type: History (fictional)
What's it about? A little girl forced into slavery... (that's all I'm saying)
Is it worth reading? Definitely! It's so well written, you wouldn't put it down until it's done. Not everything in this book is fictional. The 'Book of Negroes' unfortunately really does exist, and so does a lot of the other information.
Is the book easy to understand? Yes, yes, very easy to understand.. the history isn't that deep that you'll get lost, but enough to understand what's going on. Whether you care to know a little about slavery or not, do yourself a favour and read it.
Notable pages? Not really, but there isn't a single page you'll get bored reading.
I was however drawn to this sentence: "I wondered for a time how a person who considered himself a good Muslim could treat other humans in such a way, but it occurred to me that the same question could be asked of Christians and Jews." [pg. 434] - maybe because it's something I wonder about as well.
Out of 5: 5 most definitely!
I'd love to hear what others think about it. And if you've read any other books written by Lawrence Hill.
Note: * I have absolutely no problem with fictional work (I still read it).
Labels: review
At 10:54 AM, 
At 5:41 PM, 
Sketched Soul
As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister Umm Layth,
Wonderful to hear from you, jazaki'Allahu khair. It really, really was! And after the last two I just read.. I realize just how good this book was. :D Insha'Allah I hope you add it to your list!
Wa'alaykum as-salaam
Lots of Love
Farhana
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest Salma, and hello dear errant,
Salma, I am sooo happy you are still lurking, hehe.. :D jazaki'Allahu khair for visiting me, and leaving your wonderful comment. Well your mom and I are definitely singing the same tune, I am glad she enjoyed it. If she reads another other Lawrence Hill book, come share with me! Insha'Allah I hope you get to read it as well.
Errant, thank you so much for dropping by, and leaving your lovely comment. You know, after reading this book I realized how much knowledge I actually lack in what has happen and is happening on around me. So I personally think it's something others should read about - if not this book, at least on this topic. I hope you get a chance to read it.
Wa'alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana
At 1:00 AM, Hajar Alwi
Salams dear Farhana,
hope you are doing fine. I heard about this book, but was not sure if it's for me. now definitely I'm gonna get it!!! i signed myself recently to SwapTree club. I don't know if you heard about it, but you can exchange your books with one you wanna get from other members free :)
love
Amina
At 7:19 AM, mutmai'naa
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sisters,
Hajar, always lovely to hear from you. Actually there is another one by Lawrence Hill, "The Deserter's Tale: The Story of an Ordinary Soldier Who Walked Away from the War in Iraq" which insha'Allah I hope to get my hands on soon, I'll definitely post a review if I get to it.
Umm Salihah, barak'Allahu feeki. And thank you for visiting me! Humm, from reading your wonderful book list, I hope you enjoy this one. Haha.. I had to double check with my sister if this book "The Book of Negroes" is really that good, or just to me. :D - she thought is was good too.
My dear Amina, jazaki'Allahu khair for the comment, and for sharing "swap tree" with me. I had no idea this site existed, insha'Allah I shall be looking into it! If you get a chance to read this book, please let me know what you think.. it's nice to hear other peoples thoughts (on books).
Pathwayofdevotion, barak'Allahu feeki. Haha.. glad my review was enough to get to interested in the book - you'd be very happy to know Lawerance Hill is a CANADIAN author :D
Jazakum'Allahu khair sisters for your lovely comments, much appreciated.
As-salaamu'alaykum
Lots of Love
Farhana
At 10:58 AM,
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sisters,
Ms. Unique, alhumduliLlah my family and I as well, and pray you are yours are doing good. If you get a chance to read it, please let me know what you think. And sure.. I'd love the invitation :D
Serendipitous Life, jazaki'Allahu khair for the visit. How was 'The Prince Among Slaves'? I'm sorry you weren't able to find the book, it also goes under the name "Someone Knows My Name " - which is what I seem to be seeing more of. Hope you manage to find it.
Wa'alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana
Assalamu Alykom,
Ever since I had a few accidents involving some of my books (like my library almost catching fire and my mobile falling from the eleventh floor with an ebook on it-in a 2 day span) my friends have been on my back to stop reading novels and fiction in general! I have been quite reluctant to do so 'cause I see nothing wrong with it, and I think I should do exactly what I told them: choose my books more carefully so I think I'm gonna give this one a shot...it sure sounds great!
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister,
Jazaki'Allahu khair for stopping by and leaving your lovely comment. Sorry it's taken me so long to get to it.
OH.. your library almost catching fire is a very sad and scary thought. I don't think there is anything wrong in reading novels and fiction.. infact, a lot that I have read..are actually educational (to a point).
I hope you've got around to reading this one, I still think it's one of the best ones I've read.
As-salaamu'alaykum
Love Farhana
At 9:15 AM, Sketched Soul
Wa'alaykum as-salaam wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu SARAHHH!!!
So nice to see you here, I pray all is well at your end :D Send me some sun!
I am glad you finished the book, and loved it.
This new book you speak of sounds very interesting! I have added it on my reading list, and I shall insha'Allah read it. I'll let you know what I think. Thank you so much for letting me know about it.
Lots of Love
Farhana
wa alaykum as salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Thank you for sharing it with us. It sounds like a good book to pick up, insha'Allah.