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.

It’s always interesting to read a book about a real person, as, despite what ever may be known about them, there is still a lot we don’t know, and that needs to be imagined by the author. I really enjoyed his take on this portion of black history in Georgian London. Charles Ignatius Sancho had an extraordinary life for anyone let alone an ex slave.. Very well written, my only niggle was that it felt a bit slow to start. However, an excellent historical read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Paterson Joseph

It's 1746 and Georgian London is not a safe place for a young Black man, especially one who has escaped slavery. After the twinkling lights in the Fleet Street coffee shops are blown out and the great houses have closed their doors for the night, Sancho must dodge slave catchers and worse. The man he hoped would help - a kindly duke who taught him to write - is dying. Sancho is desperate and utterly alone.

This book is pure heaven . Read it . No , I really mean it , read it.

I could go on and tell you why you should , that the characters and the story is good or wonderful or the author writes beautifully , and I raced through it etc , or that it was the best read this year so far . Put all that aside and read it.

The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho
by Paterson Joseph is a great historical fiction that is based on a true story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I really enjoyed it!

I have actually read several nonfiction articles regarding Charles Ignatius Sancho in the past, but never anything from a fictional standpoint. I really enjoyed all of the passion, research, and talent the author exhibits with this excellent historical fiction.

With this book, we really are immersed into Georgian England (1740s), and in this case, we get to see so much more. There are so many emotions and feelings that this novel really brought to the forefront and several times, it was truly heartbreaking and difficult to read, but definitely needed. Being able to see how the character, as a Black man, trying to survive, overcome obstacles and difficulties, and how he succeeded, was such a treasure to read.

I highly recommend this one.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Dialogue Books/ Little, Brown Book Group UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/6/22.