reading reflection #3

Book: The Book of Negroes

Author: Lawrence Hill

Pages read: 20-44

Sometime within the past week or so, I finished reading The Pact by Jodi Picoult. It’s tough to say what the moral or message that the story really has. There are probably so many, depending on how deep you decide to look or to analyze. To me, the message is that there are many different kinds of love, as well as different types of relations. It makes us question how well we really know the ones we love.

                Personally, I really enjoyed the style of writing. How it’s split into three parts or “books.” That allows for a much clearer distinction of the different aspects of the story bring told. Splitting up the novel into sections (not chapters, but bigger sections with chapters within, kind of like their own sub-books) also makes it easier to tell the story from multiple characters perspectives, which I really like. The only downfall, some readers may find the change in narration confusing or difficult to follow.

                Friday’s class I continued reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, which I recently began. I’m just getting into it, and already a ton has happened and progressed in the storytelling of Aminata Diallo. It’s difficult not to admire her character. When she was just a young girl, she witnessed both her parents’ deaths. Right before her very eyes, as Aminata herself was being kidnapped. That takes courage. It’s at that point that our strength of character really shows – when we have no other choice than to be strong. It makes me wonder how this poor girl will escape the captors.

Also, “Book One” is the two lonely words on the very first page, leading me to believe the story will be split up – one way or another – into sections of her life being told. I can honestly say I’ve already learned so much from the words of the author, having only read 44 pages. For example, “to gaze into another person’s face is to do two things: to recognize their humanity, and to assert your own,” I have never thought about that sort of thing. It’s interesting though, and I’ve been able to have a lot more insight. I know I’ll definitely enjoy The Book of Negroes.