This book by Lawrence Hill is one that will stay with me always. His protagonist, Amanita was a strong woman character, which I always like in a book. The story of her life as a young child of eleven taken from her village into the slave trade up to the time she was an older woman was so well written. Lawrence was able to bring her character to life in such a believable way. I learned a lot I didn't know through his historical accounts. Human nature is not always a pretty picture and this is one account in history that is perplexing and sad to me. I highly recommend this book to everyone.