Writersbox Book Review: The Book of Negroes
By James Ratlif
This is an exceptional book commencing with the abduction of the 11-year-old Aminata Diallo from her village in West Africa. The title is based on an actual historic document and proves to be an amazing catalyst for Hill’s gut wrenching odyssey. It covers an amazing amount of history and does a fantastic job of educating the reader on just how deep the slave trade was a part of commerce and society in the British Colonies, the U.S. and in particular Canada. From South Carolina, to New York, to Nova Scotia, and to Sierra Leone - the hardships and wrongs experienced by Aminata follow her, guide her, and provide her with an enlightenment and understanding never to be experienced by many she interacts with.
Publisher-Creator Mikhail Saavedra began life down by the deepest tip of southern Latin America. He started life with a deep curiosity for all things, with music and books being at the forefront, a curious child by all accounts. As he grew and opened his eyes to the world, he developed a sense of justice and dignity in part as a reaction to growing up in a military dictatorship. Alas, this did not fill him with fear or cynicism but a more rebellious spirit, which led him to being incredibly popular at the principal’s office and the local riot police department….
Then came Canada and it was here that he was able to formulate his deep desire to learn about the world, with Toronto being the kind of multicultural soup that could engage his need to know and embrace. It started with writing, then moved on to what became Toronto’s first Latin Alternative radio show, followed by an all-English show in the same vein. It was this desire to find the true “crossover” among people, which led him to the concept of “Alternavox”
He is a lover of wine, good food, Neruda, Eduardo Galeano, rebel music, revolutionaries, dancing, family and beautiful people. Believes that kindness in this much too cynical world is revolutionary, that you are a better person when able to give a little without asking for the change and that on the same token you should laugh at yourself and the madness surrounding you as often as possible as you set out to change the world bit by bit. 