During the night of April 10, 1734, Montrlique's own words, a detailed portrait of her life and a sense of what slavery was like in Canada at the t...
read full description
reviews
Aug 01, 2009
I'm part way through "The Hanging of Angelique", which is about the Atlantic Slave Trade in Canada. I know that Canadian history rarely, if *ever*, talks about our history of slavery, so this whole book has been both appalling and eye-opening for me.[return][return]Basically, Angelique was accused of burning down Montreal in the 1700s (the book's at home right now, so I'm fuzzy on the details). She had been a slave coming out of Portugal (I am learning so much about the Atlantic Slave
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 28, 2011
Before I read this book I didn't know that Canadians were willing participants in the slave trade. They enslaved African Americans and Native Canadians and treated them like possessions -- just like they did in the United States. I also didn't know that John Graves Simcoe was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in Upper Canada. Something I hadn't ever considered before was also brought to my attention -- the Portuguese initiated the slave trade!
Afua Cooper belives that the collection of co More...
Afua Cooper belives that the collection of co More...
Dec 22, 2008
Iejones
rated it: 
I suppose it is obvious that I LOVE history. This story of overcoming, achievers and survivors impels me everyday to face the rut and grunt of daily life in the post-modern world. This story of enslaved African women, is well written historical account of the life of Angelique. There were Africans enslaved in Canada and their plight was not as light or indifferent. Angelique was accused of setting a fire and hanged for involvement. Cooper is a noted scholar on the African presence in Canada has
More...
Aug 07, 2011
Sean
rated it:
“Slavery is Canada’s best-kept secret, locked within the national closet. And because it is a secret it is written out of official history. But slavery was an institutionalized practice for over two hundred years. In this ground breaking work “The Hanging of Angélique,” Dr. Afua Cooper reveals what Canadian history Textbooks omits the truth. Canada was not only a safe haven for slaves, it was also an active participant in the slave trade. Some historians will argue that it was only a mild
More...
Oct 16, 2007
Nahliah
rated it: 
Good read. A good introduction to slavery in Canada. I didn't know about how and when slavery was conducted in Canada and under what circumstances for the slaves involved and so the text was informative. The author tries to stretch her lack of material and authority on the life of this one slave and tries to present to the audience an authoritative text on slavery in Canada, which it is not. Unlike Edward S. Morgan in "American Slavery American Freedom" she's not drawing from a wea
More...
Nov 19, 2010
Heather
rated it:
I read this book for a Canadian History class. Canadians tend to pride themselves on having avoided slavery, unlike those treacherous Americans. Not so. Admittedly, the author takes license with what Angelique's thoughts, feelings and motives were on the night the fire started, but it is still an important look into the history of slavery in Canada. I found it fascinating and enlightening.
Sep 15, 2008
Lesliemae
rated it: 
Afua Cooper meticulously explores the untold story of slavery in Canada. The court records of Angelique, she "boldly suggests" create the first Canadian slave narrative. While I think her book is interesting in its treatment of early conditions in New France ... I do not think the court records create a true narrative. There is very little of Angelique's actual voice and Cooper's subjective suggestions do nothing to give that voice any life. The only story created is by the elite g
More...
May 14, 2008
Katie_marie
rated it:
This is a Canadian must-read to open our eyes. The novel is more of a historical perspective on the now-forgotten time of slavery in Canada. The author uses Angelique's story to trace the path of slavery from Portugal, where it began, to the West Indes, New England, and, yes, Canadian soil. We weren't innocent in this area and it is almost worse because we have forgotten the struggle of the people who lived as slaves.
Jan 30, 2012
Jan 30, 2012
Jan 28, 2012
Jan 01, 2012
Jan 14, 2012
Dec 21, 2011
Dec 16, 2011
Feb 05, 2012
Nov 14, 2011
Nov 01, 2011
Oct 24, 2011
Oct 21, 2011
Oct 19, 2011
Oct 14, 2011
Oct 12, 2011
