Lawrence Hill's The Book of Negroes is a novel that is breathtaking in its scope and depth. The Burlington author details the engrossing story of an African woman whose life encompasses a wealth of experiences.

These experiences, although fictional, provide an insight into the often misunderstood world of North American slavery. A slave's life was not the stereotypical plantation existence portrayed in the movies.

The book covers the years 1745 to 1807. It follows the life of Amniata Diallo, who at the age of eleven is captured and sold into slavery. Her life is intensely portrayed from birth in sub-Saharan Africa, through her enslavement in the Gullah speaking islands of the Carolinas, to her search for a way back home via New York, Nova Scotia and Sierra Leone. Hill's research is flawless and the characters seem as real as a friend or neighbour. The incredible attention paid to the details of everyday items and events in the various cultures depicted adds authenticity to the story.

Shrimp gleamed on tables in the sun, crabs were piled high and fish were stacked for sale, but what astonished me most was to see Negro women walking freely with platters on heads and baskets in hand. The women wore head scarves, bright shifts and blazing petticoats. Some had hats with fur around them, others wore bright shoes. They laughed, gestured and bargained. They carried on in rapidfire language, seemed entirely at home and acted like there wasn't a soul in the world who

could do them harm.

The author portrays the complex interactions of Africans, African Americans and their white oppressors and supporters in colonial society. There was a tension between newly arrived slaves and American born slaves. There was animosity between abolitionists and slave-owners, each using the Bible to justify their beliefs.

In the midst of this turmoil is thrown little Amniata Diallo. At the whim of the slave owner, her name is shortened to Meena Dee.

I tried to pray in Papa's way. I thought that if I could find my way back to Allah, someone might rescue me. ... Bent down, with head lowered, I turned toward where the sun rose. I turned in the direction of my homeland. Come save me. Someone, please come save me. I began the ritual prayers. But Biton forbade me, hand on my shoulder, stern and unmoving. Biton said that just a day earlier a man had been beaten for praying in my manner. I was not to pray. Not to expose myself to beatings. In my state, he said, I would never survive a beating. First and foremost, he said, I had a duty to stay

alive.

The newly named slave girl tries to maintain some mental stability by recalling the calm voice of her mother and her father praying to Allah. In her mind and heart lives the desire to return home. The Book of Negroes depicts many events that occurred to Africans enslaved in the Americas such as rape, torture and the destruction of families.

It also portrays the relationships, the friendships and love that developed in the African communities in early North American society.

The title of the novel is taken from a list of Africans created by the British during the American Revolution.

"All of this information about the Negroes," I said. "Where will it be kept?"

"In a special ledger," he said.

"What will it be called?"

Waters gave me a dry smile. "How about Exodus from Holy Ground?"

I folded my arms. "All of this amuses you," I said.

Waters checked his pocket watch and became serious. "It will be called the Book of

Negroes."

The original Book of Negroes listed the names and details of 3,000 men, women and children who sailed from New York City. Lawrence Hill's The Book of Negroes has brought these people's stories to life.

It has won the 2008 Commonwealth Writers Prize as the best work of fiction. It is a great choice for the first Orangeville Reads! One Book One Community event.

For more information on the event and the book, contact BookLore or the Orangeville Public Library.

Peter Meyler is coauthor of A Stolen Life: Searching for Richard Pierpoint and editor of Broken Shackles: Old Man Henson, from slavery to freedom.