Dear Sir, I Intend to Burn Your Book

Dear Sir, I Intend to Burn Your Book is Lawrence Hill's response to the 2011 threat to burn his novel The Book of Negroes. The text originated as a lecture delivered at the University of Alberta and expanded into an examination of book burning, censorship, and the relationship between authors and their critics. Hill recounts his personal experience with the Dutch activists who opposed his novel's title and threatened to destroy his work. He incorporates historical context about book burning through the ages, from Nazi Germany to contemporary instances of literary destruction. The slim volume includes Hill's correspondence with those who challenged his work, along with his reflections on the nature of creative freedom. His analysis extends beyond his own case to explore how writers navigate controversy and criticism. The work serves as both a defense of artistic expression and an exploration of the complex tensions between creative intent and public reception. Hill's measured examination raises questions about cultural sensitivity, historical language, and the power of words to unite or divide.

Readers describe this essay as a calm, thoughtful response to book burning threats Hill received. Most reviews focus on Hill's balanced approach to addressing censorship without attacking his critics. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of an author's perspective on censorship - Personal anecdotes that provide context - Brevity and focus of the argument - Hill's measured tone when discussing sensitive topics What readers disliked: - Some found it too short at 92 pages - A few wanted more detailed analysis of censorship history - Limited scope compared to other works on the topic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (14 ratings) "A quick but impactful read on the power of words and importance of defending them," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another Amazon reader commented that it "offers valuable insights into how authors process and respond to attempts at censorship."

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📚 Lawrence Hill wrote this book in response to Dutch activists threatening to burn his novel "The Book of Negroes" due to their objection to the word "Negro" in its title. 🔥 The book explores the history of book burning, from the destruction of the Library of Alexandria to Nazi Germany's systematic burning of Jewish literature. ✍️ Hill's mother was a civil rights activist and his father wrote a book about Black history in Canada, deeply influencing his perspective on racial justice and literature. 📖 The book originated as a Keynote Address for the University of Alberta's Henry Kreisel Memorial Lecture in 2013. 🌍 "The Book of Negroes," the novel that sparked the controversy, was published under a different title ("Someone Knows My Name") in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand to avoid potential objections to the word "Negro."