"The Book of Negros" by Lawrence Hill ****

Reminiscent of Alex Haley's 1977 novel, "Roots", this historical novel traces the experiences of an fictional character, Aminita Diallo, from her abduction from an African village to her ultimate appearance in London, England as a spokesperson to support the abolitionists. Through her eyes we view the human tragedies of the slave trade, the deplorable living conditions and the inhumane treatment of the people of color. The primary focus of the novel is the ultimate transportation of the loyalists that were transported to Nova Scotia by the British just prior to the American Revolution. The title of the book comes from the actual record of the negroes that were included as loyalist and the list that was recorded and has been maintaine.

The novel is a captivating read and historically sound. It is longlisted for the Scotia Bank Giller Prize this year and has already won The Rogers Writers' Trust Fictional Prize.