This first novel by the actor Paterson Joseph is a really enjoyable and fascinating read. This is the story of Charles Ignatius Sancho an actor musician and abolitionist- in fact the first black person to vote..Born into slavery the book tells of his incredible life ; in many ways Dickensian in style and with a true sense of the period, the life of Ignatiius Sancho - his trial , tribulations, loves and adventures is written with heart for the man and presented through the protagonist telling his life story to his son. There are also parts of the book presented in letters written between him and his wife Anne Osborne- moving and detailing the traumas of their lives. The sense of oppression and one moment away from being captive back into slavery is palpable during Ignatius’ life . This is a intriguing read about one of British history’s heroes and his story needs to be widely known. Highly recommended

This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is not your typical "denunciation of slavery" historical fiction, and the reader's sympathy for the protagonist is as much rooted in the common insecurities of humanity as it is in revulsion at an institution that shamed, and, unfortunately, continues, to a lesser extent, to shame the world.

"The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho", both in title and form echoes the picaresque of the 17th and 18th centuries, crossed, to some degree, with the epistolary novel.

Sancho is not a typical slave. He's overfed, gouty, and a bit full of himself. His social progress, up, down, and up again, while informed by his status as a black male of uncertain position, is also used to mirror the evolution of the world in which he lives. Thus, the early part of the novel uses his rapidly changing circumstances as much to shed light on various facets of mid-to-late English society as to critique the role of those of Black African descent within it.

Sancho himself notes that his relatively pampered upbringing cuts him off from true understanding of the Black experience in that period. As a literary device, it performs the rather clever function of making him easier for a general readership to identify with, while the satirical magnification of incident and character typical of the picaresque makes one inclined to view this section of the book as an entertainment as much as a social commentary.

While there are specific racially-conditioned episodes, Sancho always manages to escape major consequences. It is only when he finds love, with a woman who has a similar education but much more direct exposure to the iniquities suffered by slaves and their descendants, that the tale of the pícaro begins to embrace the wider world in which he lives. Even then, the story is still strongly centred on its eponymous protagonist whose diminishing isolation from the lot of his fellow Black Britons mirrors the readers' increasing empathy for this unlikely hero.

It's a very effective writing gambit, and I found a growing fascination with the strangely pompous-but-insecure Sancho and his fate. The book in no way minimises the harsh society in which he finds himself - particularly with regard to child mortality, but it also uses his experiences as an individual to illuminate the slow but inexorable changes taking place therein: the American Revolution, the integration of Irish Catholics into the army (and the subsequent Gordon Riots), the legal decision that declared that no-one on British soil could be a slave.

Artfully constructed and well-informed about the conventions of literary forms not usually directed to the examination of this particular social issue, this book was a delight to read. My congratulations to the author.

The themes of this book were what interested me although prior to reading I am sorry to say I had heard of neither Sancho nor the author Paterson Joseph. Reading the book has certainly encouraged me to find out more about Charles Ignatius Sancho, the first person of African descent to have a vote in Britain. I have since discovered that Joseph previously wrote a play about the character which I would love to see.
This book has been very well researched by Joseph and gives considerable insight into Sancho's life in 18th century London and also, at one remove, to the lives of both slaves and free Blacks on the Caribbean plantations at the time.
Orphaned Sancho became a composer and writer of some note and there still exist published editions of both his music and letters which largely concerned the need to abolish the slave trade.
Joseph has written this fictional biography of Sancho in the form of a diary (allegedly written for his youngest son Billy) and fictionalised letters between Sancho and his fiance Anne when she was in the Caribbean. One very positive aspect of this decision is to give a major voice to Anne, highlighting her positive influence on Sancho. In general however I found the two styles and leaps in the timeline to be somewhat confusing.
Overall I found this book an enlightening read which certainly sparked my interest and I would recommend it to readers who appreciate fictionalilsed biographies and to those interested in Black History.
My thanks to the publisher via Net Galley for a complimentary ARC of this title in return for an honest review.

I had never heard of Charles Ignatius Sancho, who was born aboard a slave ship and later became the first known person of African descent to vote in a British general election (as a result of being an independent male property owner, he had the right to vote in the 1774 and 1780 elections).

This novel, although based loosely around his life, follows the highs, the lows and horrors of his journey. Much of which is told through diary entries and letters to his wife Anne.

This is a beautiful novel and an absolute must read for those who like historical fiction based on real people and events.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for this excellent historical read.

A beautifully written and emotive book that I couldn't put down. I genuinely felt like I was in the pages of the diary witnessing first hand the life of Charles. The characters were well developed and I loved Charles but hated others such as the sisters.
If you read one book this year you need to make it this one.

This was a really interesting read, loved the blending of fact and fiction to make for a rest good read. I found the story engaging and the setting really well drawn.

It’s always a good thing to step out of your comfort zone and read about a subject that you have little knowledge of, whilst I had read quite a few books about the general slave trade this is an interesting take on the life of a young slave in Britain

A captivating and haunting historical novel, telling the true story of a Great Black Briton. This historical book is not only dramatic and engrossing, it is also insightful and wise. Read it! Read it! You will never forget it!

I read a copy provided by Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK. Opinions are my own.
This is a very well-researched account of the life of Charles Ignatius It begins in the late 18th century when he is born aboard a slave ship to a mother who dies and a father who subsequently kills himself. Sancho is alone.

His life is recounted in the form of detailed accounts to his son Billy. These range back and forth and tell of cruelties but also gains and successes; of kind white people as well as those who treat him with indifference, or worse, sheer cruelty.

Along the way Sancho meets the famed of the day, Garrick, Handel, Franklin and even the King.He becomes accomplished and writes plays and music. It is an enthralling life and Paterson Joseph gets the tone just right as Sancho tells his extraordinary story in his own words.

Recommended.

I feel like I've been on quite the adventure.
Despite knowing some of the details of Sancho's life, this book fleshed out the details, and my memory.
The highs and lows of his journey to that final magnificent page.
There's some gentle humour to be had in here, along with the horrors, and I enjoyed the mix of diary entries and letters.
Enjoyable stuff.

A very interesting novel loosely based on a real character (since not so much is known about him!). The structure of the plot was for me not always compelling, but a character well worth knowing about.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily a review.

This novel is a haunting exploration of hundreds of years of Black history in England. It is about slavery, its ugliness, its cruelty, its contradictions. We learn it all through Charles Ignatius “Sancho”, who is raised in England in the mid 1700s as a ‘Black pet’ to the three maiden aunts of his New Grenada plantation master.
After his escape from socially acceptable slavery – and after having been imprisoned in a cellar for his presumptuousness in learning to write and draw -- Sancho goes in search of the Duke of Montagu, his mentor during his impressionable years, who taught him to love music, poetry and literature. But the Duke is dying and Sancho must make his own way in the world. He falls under the artistic influence of such visionaries as Samuel Johnson & Gainsborough, but it is David Garrick who gives him his overriding love of theatre.
Much of the story is related through diary entries and letters. His future wife, Anne, forces him to come face to face with his ignorance of his roots as she corresponds with him from a Barbados plantation. Over many years of waiting for her return he learns of the true plight of those less fortunate than himself -- after all, he is just a lucky orphan! A grocer later in life, supplying his community, Sancho becomes glaringly aware that the ‘necessary’ commodities he provides include the contradictory, slave-driven ones – tea, sugar and tobacco!
Paterson Joseph, a well-known British actor, draws on the historical life of Charles Ignatius, to illuminate his novel of Black history, love and loyalty, romance and adventure. Sancho’s correspondence with Anne is particularly touching. Recommended.

What a wonderful book and a book that should be shared as there is just so much of interest and history in these pages.

The story of a little known Black writer and composer, his life in London long ago and his story. And although this is a fiction novel it s well researched and well written and you can immerse yourself into his story. I love the Georgian Era, the times were hard and dramatic and this story is moving, emotional, heart-breaking and so very interesting.

This is a must read for those who like historical fiction based on real people and has that extra benefit of being about a person not so well known. Very good, very interesting and a great read.

I had never heard of Charles Ignatius Sancho, so this book is much needed to bring him to the attention of the reading (and general) public.

The character of Sancho created for the book is kindly, talented and flawed. He suffers many hardships, some brought on himself by pride and stubbornness, but also finds a way to triumph. The delineation of his character is believable and makes him seem real and knowable, though little is actually recorded of his life and personality.

An important book, beautifully written.

An amazing story about a real person of history - a black man who is born on a slave ship but who then goes on to become the first black man to vote in the uk and to be the leader of the movement to abolish slavery. I realise this is a fictional account of a story but is heavily inspired by real facts. The author has a deep interest in this man's story and I feel he has done him real justice. Recommended.

I was very excited to read this book, set in this book, set in Georgian England about the life of Charles Ignatius Sancho. However I found the writing style very difficult to get on with and the plot was somewhat lacking. I usually love historical fiction and this had the added attraction of being based on a real life, so I was disappointed that I didn't connect with it and didn't much like the main character. Whilst I know the story of slavery is awful and cruel, I actually found Sancho's interactions with the slave trader, Sill, to be the most interesting in the book.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little Brown Uk for a chance to read an arc copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly this book was not for me but I'm sure it will be enjoyed by others.
BTW - the cover is absolutely beautiful and would definitely make me look at it in a shop.

I loved this book. The characterisation is great and I learned a lot - I even researched Sancho after I'd read the book, so taken was I with his story. Georgian London is beautifully described and Sancho himself is such an interesting and nuanced character, it was a really good read.

For me, this is well written and well researched but I couldn’t engage with the main character. I found him a strange and unrealistic boy and man with unusual expectations of the world. His reliance on the training from his early mentor sets the tone for the story.
The final part of the book sees him decide of several changes of career to support his family, and again his reliance on famous characters from history to encourage his progress seems strange.
The writing is good but each description is so long that it feels difficult to progress through the book.

An interesting read! While fast-paced and driven in parts, I felt some chapters were harder to get through due to the lengthy descriptions. However, I enjoyed the perspective and back-and-forth between the Sancho of the 'present' and the many Sancho's we get to meet from his past.