I usually really enjoy historical fiction and was really looking forward to this but I couldn't connect with the story. I think it's because it was written as a first person reminiscing style and for me it would have worked better in third person. Charles is without doubt a fascinating character all the more so since he was real of course. I think this would make a really good film or tv series but sadly just didn't work for me as a book.

Seems like most other people love it though so don't let me put you off and give it a try if you fancy it.

Born on a slave ship in 1729, Charles Ignatius Sancho is brought to London and secretly begins the tasks of advancing his education and sharpening his wits to make a better life for himself. Fearing those who would deny him an education or, worse, see him transported back to the Caribbean, Sancho embarks on an extraordinary, turbulent life filled with love, loss, opportunities and despair.

What a remarkable novel. Charles Ignatius Sancho was a real person and here, in ‘The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho’, Paterson Joseph – the author – has taken what is known as fact about this fascinating figure from history and brought to life the world in which he lived through the use of fiction – something I have recently learned is called ‘critical fabulation’.

As well as the ups and downs of his own life, Georgian London is thoroughly explored as Sancho’s diary entries progress, from the finest society homes to the most putrid alleyways, and from modest family dwellings to public houses, theatres, markets, and dens of iniquity. I have to say, I enjoyed this aspect of the novel as much as the story itself.

Although Sancho faces callousness and cruelty and, for a time, finds himself at the very lowest point, the novel feels, ultimately, rather hopeful. I was surprised to find just how many people were fond of and willing to help Sancho and as a result of reading this book, I feel I have been educated somewhat in the history of black people in Britain and will be using the opportunity to learn more. Finally, I also really admired the preface by Paterson Joseph, which introduces the book so well.

My deepest thanks to Little Brown, Dialogue Books and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy, on which this review is based.

This historical novel, based on the real life of Charles Ignatius Sancho, is a noble attempt to fill out the life of a black British Georgian man attempting to reduce the incongruity of lives like his in an era of British history that has been painted almost exclusively white.

The regency London life is evocative and rich in detail. The struggle Sancho had in finding his place in society fitting in neither with the upper class or lower class drew empathy within the reader effectively.

But I found this book was underedited. The prose was trying too hard with rarely used words being dropped in heavily and unnecessarily. There was repetition in the language (so many references to characters being angels!) which became jarring. I think this was an important story to tell, but for a debut I felt it needed more shaping to grow into the compelling, moving story it was trying to be.

This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Great cover, but this one wasn't for me, I'm afraid.
The author's style just did not convey the flavour of the era to me. He had done his homework very well, and Sancho's alleged diaries were liberally sprinkled with direct quotes from the original writings of the historical personage, and there were plenty of period details included. But the style just didn't ring true, it was as if all the building blocks were there, but there was no mortar. I guess playing a character on stage is rather different to breathing life into them on the page.
That said, I did not at all take to the eponymous character, so maybe the author didn't do too bad a job, if he managed to make Sancho human enough to dislike thoroughly! As Joseph portrays him, he came across as pretentious and conceited, full of faux concern for his brethren, yet quick to forget when it suited himself (e.g. poor Tilly, who ends up a starving prostitute for having tried to help Sancho in his escape), and always eager to flatter the wealthy and monied. Knowing a bit about the period though, I think that the fault here is Joseph's, in failing to understand the politics and culture of the time, and in not adequately conveying events.

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Paterson Joseph is a noted British actor of stage and screen. I saw him most recently in the Suranne Jones starring BBC TV Drama “Vigil” playing the Commanding Officer of the beleaguered submarine. He has now joined the sphere of actors turning to fiction writing with very worthy intentions to fill some of the gaps of pre-Windrush Black British history by giving us a fictional account of the life of this notable 18th Century character, who became the first African man to vote in a British election. The author has been researching this life for twenty years, and has written and performed a one-man play. He has now rightly decided (if not only because of the gaps in what is actually known) to recreate the man known as Sancho as Historical Fiction.
What is done really well here is in the feel of the piece. Paterson Joseph has obviously submerged himself in the fiction of the time and without doubt in “Tristram Shandy”, the author of which, Laurence Sterne makes a brief appearance here. With a combination of a memoir intended for the main character’s son, diary entries and letters to and from his betrothed we get a real sense of Sancho and the world he inhabits.
Initially, as a child a dress up doll/valet for three spinsters Sancho finds an entrée into society under the eye of the Duke of Montagu. It is a precarious arrangement and there are many turns of fortune for this black man in 18th Century London. Deemed at various times a novelty, a creative talent, a threat and a runaway slave Sancho has to wrestle with his own inconsistencies and this makes for fascinating reading. In the eyes of some he is seen as deserving of a place in high society for others he is the lowest of the low. How does a man come to terms with his own self-worth in such circumstances?
The early sections of this book are just splendid, as Sancho ages it grows more reflective, the tale shifts significantly to his wife-to-be Anne’s experiences in an epistolary section of the book which serves to contrast experiences outside of Britain but doesn’t work as well as the London-based writings. Throughout there is a feel of authenticity, even when the structure (as in all actual eighteenth-century novels I have read) feels jerky. There were areas of the life of Charles Ignatius Sancho which I felt could have been fleshed out more but I welcome the opportunity of getting to know this man through this novel. I am thinking this could be the best actor-turned-writer novel I’ve read since 1960’s icon and model Marsha Hunt’s “Joy” from 1990.

The Secret Diaries Of Charles Ignatius Sancho is published by Dialogue Books on 6th October 2022. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the advance review copy.

I have an issue with this book. I didn't feel the vibe. I have even taken my Kindle by the sea to feel it, to have a chance to immerse myself cause I was sure that this could be important, worth it. But nope. I still did not find it helpful to feel it.

In fact, I did finished it, but it was hard. I don't really like this topic, the sea, the slavery, colonialism -it is very important, but I usually avoiding these in the book I read. This was recommened as a MUST, so that's why I did it, but I don't like it at all.

I don't wanna say that I wasted my time, cause it is not complety true. It is more like, I spend a month trying to get though it. And I really don't want to do it ever again.

So... this book is more for people who really are into topic and like stories based at this time.

I was invited to read this arc and was very of the invitation as it made me discover a very interesting, well written, and important book that talks about Ignatius Sancho, an abolitionist and former slave.
This is an important book because it introduce us to Ignatius and his life full of sufference and betrayal but also hope and resiliance.
The author did an excellent job in developing fleshed out and intriguing characters, a vivid historical background, and bring to life an important historical character.
It's a gripping read and I strongly recommend it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What a feat! Written in the form of 'secret' diaries penned by Sancho - who was a real life Black person living in England two hundred years ago - now addressed to his son whom he hopes will use the life lessons to become a better person. The real life facts about Charles Ignatius Sancho are weaved credibly into a fictionalised account by Joseph. It is a moving, poignant tale as Sancho suffers abuse, hate and injustice as he battles against the widespread white-held beliefs and slave-catchers rife in London. His achievements are even more incredible when set against this backdrop and truly, his is a story worth telling. Read it!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph

Britain’s history is multicoloured and yet only the white part is often told. The contribution of all races and colours is what makes us who we are. It is inspiring to hear the story of a clever, musically talented, eloquent man who has the ear of 18th century royalty, the learned and gentry of the day - but who also happens to be black. Despite all this integration however, he is still at risk from slave catchers and not being given the civility he has earned, from all of those he comes across. The interchange of letters between his beloved, while she is in the West Indies and himself in London compellingly describes the shameful cruelty and exploitation of our fellow human beings sold as slaves.

Knowing where we come from and constantly reevaluating our past can highlight the work we still need to do today. Well respected, successful, stalwarts of our society are still subjected to racism and bigotry just for being black. Sancho’s story is as relevant a lesson now as then.

This was a very well written book, vey well written. So authentic I imagined I was actually reading Sancho's own words. However being aware to some degree just how important Sancho's place in history is, I felt the book overall sometimes made him sound like a superficial dandy and not much else. Strangely, I felt most absorbed by the letters wriitten by his fiancee Anne during her time on the plantation. An important book nonetheless.

The best stories always come from real life and this is inspired and based on the life of Charles Sancho. It is a heartening but hopefully book and speaks of the resilience of the human spirit.

Based on the true story of the first black man to vote in Britain and beautifully and honestly showing the true nature of life for a black man in Georgian London. Encompassing 20 years of research by the author this is a moving and at times disturbing tale told in wonderful prose in the form of a memoir.

Briefly, born on a slave ship Sancho escaped the life of a slave on a plantation when he was brought to England and became a servant of three spinster sisters in London. Their treatment of him eventually lead to him running away and only by good fortune, and the intercession of the Duke of Montagu, did he escape the clutches of the slave catchers. His life after that went from extreme poverty to a good happy married life but with much to tell betwixt and between those times.

This is a fascinating tale, made all the more so by knowing that it is based on fact albeit with poetic licence where needed. An emotional tale with the full gamut of emotions running through it - love and hate, joy and sadnesses, success and failure, despondency and hope, most of all hope. Sancho was a positive man and that’s what shone through everything else. This is definitely a book destined for awards. A wonderful read.

Charles Ignatius Sancho was orphaned at birth on a slave ship and brought to England under the “care” of three sisters in 18th century England. Whilst slavery wasn’t practised in England, freedom was not a given for a young black child in London.

The story follows the incredible tale of Sancho into adulthood, highlighting the presence of black people in the UK long before the Windrush arrived, spotlighting the dangers of slave catchers and poverty, exploring the horrors of slavery in the colonies, and telling a tale of love.

Charles Ignatius Sancho did exist, but the story of his life in this book is entirely fictional. It is incredibly thought provoking and challenging, with the best and worst of humanity on display.

The plot and themes are excellent. The writing style is very clever, written very much in the Georgian style of the day.

The structure of the book was more challenging for me however. It’s part diaries, part a letter to Sancho’s son, and part letters between Sancho and his wife. It meant at times I was confused about what was happening and who was speaking. However, it felt like a screenplay and I think the structure would work brilliantly as an audiobook or as a series.

I know I should buy a book written by an actor because I loved how they portrayed a character on a TV show but when I saw Patterson Joseph who managed to make me root for slimy tech mogul Connor Mason in Timeless- I just couldn’t resist. I’m glad I did because The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho was a joy to read from start to finish.
The story is told from the point of Sancho through his diaries chronicled his eventful life. The author’s writing helps bring to life this perhaps charismatic man to life, his joy for life , his strength of will in overcoming obstacles and his optimism.
Like most British people( I know Im making an assumption), I assumed multicultural England started in the last century ,so this book was revelation of a more multicultural London. The book doesn’t gloss over the cruelty and hardship faced by non-white people which can be hard to read but the author describes how many parts of English society was open and welcoming as well.
There is no plot per se ( in my view) but the book is beautiful journey through the eventful life of a remarkable man.
Content warning
Descriptions of slavery,prejudice,racial slurs,sexual violence

“The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho” by Paterson Joseph is a fictionalised account of Sancho’s real life. Drawing on a large amount of research that Joseph has done over the years, this novel attempts to describe events using diary excerpts punctuated with letters to Sancho’s son.

I have to admit to finding this method of storytelling a bit irritating. It is very cleverly written by Joseph, but the medium in which it is told often gets in the way. It feels like there’s a good story underneath the structure and the titular characters life was certainly interesting and worth sharing, but I couldn’t fully engage with it.

A fascinating glimpse into Georgian London from the viewpoint of a young black child escaping slavery and how his life evolves in society. I did struggle slightly with the writing style at times, but overall a really well researched and interesting read.
Thank you to netgalley and little, brown books for an advance copy of this book.

Disappointing. By the time I started reading the book I had forgotten in was based on a real person, but realised half way through. Sancho was not a likeable character. Although elements of his life are told through letters to his son, it was only in the last few pages that his historical importance became clear. In fact, the synopsis told more about Sancho than the book seemed to reveal. The letters between Sancho and his future wife included a lot of information about the lives of slaves in the West Indies but was lost within their romantic aspirations. A more direct biography would have been more informative and readable.
This is an honest review of a complementary ARC.

I really wanted to read this…
Georgian London is such a rich setting for a novel, particularly when it is as well described as it is here. This book is a fictional memoir of a real person, who was very much part of the literary and musical society at this time. He was a protégé of John Montagu, and knew Samuel Johnson and Laurence Sterne, but he started life on a slave ship.
The fictional Charles Ignatius Sancho is relating his story to his youngest son, with the help of his own diaries and letters. He comes across as a larger than life character, very chatty and very likeable, and genuinely funny in places.
I enjoyed the contrast between the ‘now’ where he explains the background, and the ‘then’, the actual diary entries and letters he references. I absolutely loved the epistolary section between him and his future wife, Anne Osborne.
Of course the whole book is about slavery, the repercussions of slavery, and the fragile existence of the free Black community in London, not a particularly light subject, but Sancho’s optimism and belief that it must be possible to make a better world shine through.
A very readable book about a really interesting period of history.

I struggled with this one to be honest, but it’s very much a case of “it’s me not you”. I know it’s based on a true story, so the plot must follow what happened, but about halfway when Sancho is writing letters to his wife to be, I just lost interest.

The book is very well written, and the style it is written in fits the book perfectly - serious but entertaining? If that makes sense? It also provides a fascinating insight into that period of our history as well.

I think for me, I just didn’t like Sancho at all, or his story, nothing wrong at all with the book in any other respect! It was the wrong book for me, but others will very much enjoy it I have every faith.

My thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review

I believe this is a debut and it’s absolutely astonishing. The writing is accomplished, highly engaging and the historical detail is incredible. It’s written in the form of a journal and is based on facts about a black man trying to make his way in Georgian London. The author’s research appears to be meticulous. In addition to creating a vibrant locale, icy in detail, this is very much a human story. It’s one which resonates through the centuries and the way in which he struggles is often heartbreaking. It’s complex and multilayered and historical fiction truly at its best. It’s in my top ten favourite reads this year nd one which will stay with me because Sancho is brought so vividly to life. I hope there’s more from Paterson Joseph.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.