Saturday, August 16, 2008

book of negroes

I am no longer going to waste my time reading something that I really don't enjoy. And more importantly, I am not going to feel bad about it.

It's a lot like dating. Do you know how many second and third dates I have gone on because I should like the guy, for a variety of reasons ranging from his religion, to his good looks, to his success, to his 'great personality'? Yet here I am, still single. So all of that time spent not enjoying myself and conforming to ideas that are not mine didn't get me anywhere in that department.

This is what I realized after I was about a quarter of the way into reading the Book of Negroes, an amazing book I just finished by Lawrence Hill. It is a fiction based in fact. I fell in love with the characters and I did not want it to end. More than that, this story of African slavery changed how I see the world.

Like I always say (so often more delayed than necessary), when you know, you know.

5 comments:

JUST ME said...

I go on dates with guys because I *should* like them too.

It blows.

Rachel said...

Indeed it does.

laura said...

I'm so glad you told us about this book. One of my areas of specialization in my graduate work is African American literature. I will definitely have to check out this text.

THanks!

with love from Pittsburgh...

Rachel said...

Hey l, if you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think.

R

laura said...

Rachel,
Will absolutely let you know what I think if I get a chance to read it. Semester starts tomorrow (egad!), so pleasure reading may take a backseat for a bit. But I'm definitely interested.

Thanks to you!

with love from Pittsburgh...