Marina Maxwell
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NOTE!   As of May, 2025, I’m taking a sabbatical from writing reviews, apart from those for future editions of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society, and occasional comments on Goodreads.
This is in order to concentrate on my own new writing project in a different genre.

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I read and review both historical fiction and non-fiction, but also enjoy biographies, crime and some contemporary fiction.
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Please note that unless stated that I have received these books directly from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review, I either purchase my own copies or source them from my local library service. 

​Links to Amazon, Booktopia or Dymocks in Australia are only for the reader's reference.

My reviews for Historical Novels Review can be found online here
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"Someone Knows My Name" Lawrence Hill

31/5/2015

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This exceptional novel by Canadian author Lawrence Hill has two titles. In the United States, Australia and New Zealand, it is known as "Someone Knows my Name", yet it won the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 2008 under its original name, "The Book of Negroes", so it couldn't have offended the judges, some of whom may have hailed from African countries. Trying to whitewash genuine historical terms can often turn into a disadvantage with a book and cause confusion amongst readers, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the international release of the mini-series that is a South African/Canadian co-production. Read about it here.

But, no matter its title, this is a truly magnificent story about a young African woman taken into slavery who ends up in Canada. It is packed with all the conflicting aspects of humanity, both evil and good, and it ultimately carries a strong message of courage, love and hope - all the essential ingredients that make for classic fiction. There is no point summarising the plot here, as the book has been well-covered in many other reviews since it was first published in 2007. See Wikipedia for the plot and history, also comments from the author on difficulties with the title.

For anyone looking for a really rewarding work of historical fiction, this is very highly recommended.

Amazon Canada

Amazon USA

Booktopia Australia

Bookdepository (a book club discussion with both titles!)










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