Description
My Name Is Not Angelica
Book Summary
A moving historical novel that chronicles the struggle for identity and freedom through the eyes of Raisha, a young African woman torn from her home and sold into slavery in the 18th-century Danish West Indies. Scott O'Dell, a master of young adult fiction, offers a first-person account of resistance and dignity, based on the historic slave revolt of 1733. A work that invites reflection on memory, oppression, and the longing for freedom.
What is it about?
The story follows Raisha, a young African woman who is captured and forced to endure the horrific transatlantic journey on a slave ship. Upon arriving on the island of Saint John in the Lesser Antilles, she is purchased by the Danish colonist Jost van Prok to work on his plantation. There, forced to adopt the name Angelica, Raisha witnesses the extreme suffering of other enslaved people and begins to hatch a plan for resistance. Through her eyes, the reader relives the tension and hope of the great rebellion of 1733, an uprising that anticipated the struggle for the abolition of slavery.
Main Themes
- Slavery and the 18th-century transatlantic slave trade.
- The loss of—and fight to preserve—one's identity and personal name in the face of dehumanization.
- Resistance and rebellion by enslaved African peoples in the West Indies.
- The forced journey and the traumatic experience of the slave trade.
- Historical memory and the pursuit of freedom as a fundamental right.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is especially recommended for young readers aged 12 and up who are interested in historical fiction, as well as adults looking for an accessible yet profound narrative about slavery and resistance. It is also a valuable read for those studying the history of the Americas, colonialism, or human rights, and for anyone who appreciates stories of overcoming adversity told from an intimate and truthful perspective.
What this book offers
- A human, first-person perspective of the experience of slavery, far removed from textbooks.
- Knowledge of a real and little-known historical episode: the 1733 slave revolt in the Danish West Indies.
- A reflection on the power of memory and the importance of personal identity in the face of oppression.
- An agile and emotional narrative that fosters empathy and social awareness in young readers.
- The opportunity to understand the roots of the struggle for freedom that preceded the formal abolition of slavery.
Technical Specifications
- Author: O'Dell, Scott
- Publisher: Noguer Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Children's and young adult fiction and true stories, Children's and young adult: general non-fiction, Poetry, anthologies, yearbooks for children and adolescents
- Collection: FONDO
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: February 1994
- Number of pages: 128
- Weight: 147 g
Editorial Review
Scott O'Dell, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, demonstrates in this work his mastery in addressing complex historical themes with sensitivity and rigor, while maintaining accessible language for a young audience. "My Name Is Not Angelica" is an essential title for any young reader who wishes to understand the harshness of slavery from a human perspective, as well as for educators looking for a literary resource to complement the study of colonial history. Its brevity and powerful emotional weight make it an impactful and necessary read.