"Telling the extraordinary story of a Black Briton who rose from being born on a slave ship to lead the fight to end slavery, this is historic fiction at its most exhilarating."
“This is a tale of a lucky African orphan, who despite being born in abject slavery, rose to become a leading light in the early abolitionist movement. A hero. A man. An African. An artist. Erudite. Wise. Grand. Flawed”. So writes actor Paterson Joseph in the introductory Author’s Note to his exceptional debut novel.
Set in Georgian London, The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho tells the thrilling fictionalised account of the character, deeds and impact of a real Black Briton. From being born on a slave ship bound “straight to the heart of hell” in 1729, to becoming an acclaimed musician, finding all-consuming love, meeting the King, leading the abolition movement and becoming the first Black person to vote in Britain, Joseph’s account of Sancho’s life sings with energy, and dances with exquisite detail.
While relating Sancho’s many fights for freedoms, and his love of a lifetime, we bear witness to the wit and dazzling drive of a man who once wondered whether he would always be “the outside man, looking in”.
Essential, entertaining reading for fans of The Confessions of Frannie Langton, and for anyone with an appetite for historic fiction with bite, The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho is an immersive treasure.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Recommendations: |
Meet Charles Ignatius Sancho: his extraordinary story, hidden for three hundred years, is about to be told.
I had little right to live, born on a slave ship where my parents both died. But I survived, and indeed, you might say I did more...
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.
So how does Charles Ignatius Sancho meet the King, write and play highly acclaimed music, become the first Black person to vote in Britain and lead the fight to end slavery?
It's time for him to tell his story, one that begins on a tempestuous Atlantic Ocean, and ends at the very centre of London life. And through it all, he must ask: born amongst death, how much can you achieve in one short life?
From one of Britain's best-loved actors, Paterson Joseph, comes an utterly captivating and haunting historical novel, telling the true story of a Great Black Briton. Fans of Bridgerton, Hamilton, Jessie Burton and The Confessions of Frannie Langton will adore being led into the heart of Black Georgian London.
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club Recommendations, Debut Books of the Month, Debuts, Star Books, Fiction, Recommendations
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho is available in Paperback, Hardback
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho was written by Paterson Joseph and published by Dialogue Books an imprint of Dialogue
The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho has 411 pages
£8.99
