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A review by jayisreading
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph
informative
slow-paced
3.5
This was a really well-researched book on a phenomenal Black Briton, Ignatius Sancho. I remember coming across his name in my music studies, but this book was an eye-opening read into what his life was like as a Black man in eighteenth-century England. If you're looking for a deep dive into a fictionalized account of a historical figure, this novel may be for you.
That being said, I did find that the pacing was a little too slow for my taste, though things suddenly felt rushed towards the end. It also took some time to get used to the language, as Joseph wrote in a manner that was emulating how people during this period talked.
All-in-all, though, the story was told well. Joseph is also an actor, which comes through in this novel with some of its dramatic elements and how the story unfolded.
That being said, I did find that the pacing was a little too slow for my taste, though things suddenly felt rushed towards the end. It also took some time to get used to the language, as Joseph wrote in a manner that was emulating how people during this period talked.
All-in-all, though, the story was told well. Joseph is also an actor, which comes through in this novel with some of its dramatic elements and how the story unfolded.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs