Please Address several of the following basic questions in the review.

1.) How does this book differ from non-fiction accounts of the larger historical forces that shape Aminasta’s life such as the slave trade, Sea Island slavery, the immigration of black loyalists, and the colonization of Sierre Leone? In what ways does it converge with these narratives?

2.) What do you see as the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the book?

3.) In the context of the 18th- century slavery, what does freedom mean for several characters in the book, including Aminata, Chekura, Sam Faustus and her masters? (find names)?

4.) Do you think this novel is relevant to 21st century audiences? Why or why not? How successful does it use history to raise issues of contemporary concern?

5.) What are some of the literary choices made by the author (where and how does the author diverge from the known historical narrative) and how successful are these choices?

6.) What do you think motivated Hill to make the choices he did in the book? Does the novel effectively use the slave narrative framework to convey Aminata’s story? Why or why not?

7.) How do the plot, character development, and the historical fit together in this novel? Does the historical detail substantially shape the two, or is it merely window dressing?