Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill has received acclaim for its vivid storytelling and historical depth, capturing the harrowing journey of an African woman enslaved in America. Reviewers praise its emotional impact and well-researched narrative. However, some found the pacing uneven and certain characters underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a powerful and insightful read.

Someone who appreciates richly detailed historical fiction and strong, resilient protagonists will enjoy Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved or Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad will find this profound story of struggle, identity, and freedom captivating and intellectually stimulating.

Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill follows Aminata Diallo, a young girl from West Africa, who is abducted by slave traders, endures the horrors of the Middle Passage, and is sold into slavery in America. Her journey spans from South Carolina to New York, Nova Scotia, and eventually London, documenting her resilience and the transformative power of language as she seeks freedom and justice. This book contains depictions of slavery, violence, and sexual assault.

Emotional / Challenging / Inspirational / Contemplative / Heartwarming

- Someone Knows My Name was published under a different title in Canada, Lawrence Hill's home country; there, it is known as The Book of Negroes.
- The novel draws inspiration from a historical document known as the Book of Negroes, which recorded the names of Black Loyalists who were evacuated from New York to Nova Scotia after the American Revolutionary War.
- Author Lawrence Hill was influenced by his parents' work in human rights and their own experiences with racial identity, which partly inspired his exploration of themes in the novel.

**Aminata Diallo**  
The protagonist and narrator, Aminata is a resilient woman who is taken from her village in West Africa as a child and experiences many challenges as she navigates life as a skilled midwife and literate advocate for abolition.

**Chekura**  
Aminata's husband and father of her children, Chekura is a caring and persistent figure who finds ways to reconnect with Aminata despite the physical and social barriers of enslavement.

**John Clarkson**  
A British naval officer and abolitionist, Clarkson is depicted as a compassionate ally who plays a significant role in Aminata’s later life and provides support to her and her community.

**Robinson Appleby**  
The owner of an indigo plantation, Appleby is portrayed as a cruel slave owner who exerts control over Aminata and others under his ownership.

**Solomon Lindo**  
A Jewish indigo inspector and Aminata's second owner, Lindo offers her a more comfortable life and opportunities, though he remains complicit in the system of slavery.

**Georgia**  
A motherly figure to Aminata, Georgia is a healer and midwife who provides her essential support and knowledge during Aminata’s early years of enslavement.

**May**  
Aminata and Chekura’s daughter, who grows up learning from her mother and becomes an important figure in Aminata's later life.

Lawrence Hill

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Part 1, Chapters 1-4

Someone Knows My Name Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Part 2, Chapters 5-7

Someone Knows My Name Part 2, Chapters 5-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 8-10

Someone Knows My Name Part 2, Chapters 8-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Part 3, Chapters 11-13

Someone Knows My Name Part 3, Chapters 11-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 14-16

Someone Knows My Name Part 3, Chapters 14-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Part 4, Chapters 17-19

Someone Knows My Name Part 4, Chapters 17-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 4, Chapters 20-21

Someone Knows My Name Part 4, Chapters 20-21 Summary & Analysis

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Someone Knows My Name

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