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Agnes Gomillion
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The Record Keeper Kindle Edition

by Agnes Gomillion (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 61 ratings
See all formats and editions
"The Record Keeper is empathy through fiction."
- Actor, Comedian and Film Producer Wayne Brady on The Record Keeper which he plans to bring to the Silver Screen.
The Record Keeper is a visceral and thrilling near-future dystopia examining past and present race relations.

After World War III, Earth is in ruins, and the final armies have come to a reluctant truce. Everyone must obey the law--in every way--or risk shattering the fragile peace and endangering the entire human race.

Arika Cobane is on the threshold of taking her place of privilege as a member of the Kongo elite after ten grueling years of training. But everything changes when a new student arrives speaking dangerous words of treason: What does peace matter if innocent lives are lost to maintain it? As Arika is exposed to new beliefs, she realizes that the laws she has dedicated herself to uphold are the root of her people's misery. If Arika is to liberate her people, she must unearth her fierce heart and discover the true meaning of freedom: finding the courage to live--or die--without fear.
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Record Keeper
  2. Print length
    366 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Titan Books
  6. Publication date
    June 18, 2019
  7. File size
    1412 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This intellectually rich, emotional, and ruthlessly honest confrontation of racism proves Gomillion is a critically important new voice. "  -- Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"The Record Keeper—with its absorbing developments and clarion call to freedom—will hold its readership in thrall and have them waiting expectantly for the follow-up. "  - Foreword Magazine Starred Review

“A fierce and absorbing tale of a heroine finding her own power, set in an exquisitely crafted world...THE RECORD KEEPER deserves a place on your must-read list.”  -Christina Henry

About the Author

Agnes is a speaker and writer based in Seminole, Florida, where she lives with her husband and two children. Homegrown in the Sunshine State, Agnes studied English Literature at the University of Florida before transitioning to Levin College of Law, where she earned both a Juris Doctorate and Legal Master degree. She's a voracious reader of the Africa-American literary canon and a dedicated advocate for marginalized people everywhere.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07HLZF3D9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Titan Books (June 18, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 18, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1412 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 366 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

About the author

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Agnes Gomillion

Agnes Gomillion

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Agnes is a speaker and writer based in Atlanta, Georgia, where she lives with her husband and son. Homegrown in the Sunshine State, Agnes studied English with an African-American Literature focus at the University of Florida before transitioning to Levin College of Law, where she earned both a Juris Doctorate and Legal Master degree. She’s a voracious reader of the African-American literary canon and a dedicated advocate for marginalized people everywhere.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
61 global ratings
Be uncomfortable but don't put this one down.
4 Stars
Be uncomfortable but don't put this one down.
It's hard to turn the final page of "The Record Keeper" without experiencing a significant moment of reflection and revelation. To sum it up as a dystopian novel that examines race relations is minimizing. Agnes Gomillion delivers such a profoundly well-written, meticulously crafted debut in "The Record Keeper"--and you can bet you missed chunks of backstory, personal/cultural strife, intellectual deceit, character flaws, conflict after conflict.Expect excited and uncomfortable book club discussions and reader debates stemming from the themes on societal "rules", forced education, class-ism/colorism/racism, and family/community. Even historical and present day references (i.e Niagara Compromise, war strategies, white-face, population control, racial separation) will challenge readers to probe into whether beliefs and behaviors of groups of people--including their own--are forced, assimilated truths, or intentional deception of the "greater good." And what should happen when the answer is revealed? Is Arika's response appropriate? William's? Volitare's? Jones's?Don't put "The Record Keeper" down. You will miss something.4.5-stars. @JozefSyndicate #JozefBookandBrewARC received from Titan Books
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Top reviews from the United States

Elena Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars You Will Not Be Disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
The imagery, the intensity, the expectation...nothing is as you would assume, and everything is timely when you think about current events. I’m ridiculously impressed by the author’s ability to sink you into the world she has created and invest you in the lives of every character. I’m deeply interested in the backstories of every character, and maybe even a prequel. But that’s all I’m going to say before I give it away. Just buy it and read it! I promise, you will love it!
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Tale
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2020
Verified Purchase
The Record Keeper follows Arika Cobane who lives in an area in the post World War III Earth called Kongo. She's been training for 10 years to become a record keeper and keep the history records of her people. She's nearing the end of her schooling and hoping to become a Senator of the Assembly. This post-apocalyptic world consists of the remains of what is formerly America split into three distinct territories with The English in the north; The Clayskin in the central area; and The Kongo in the south. Each faction has an Assembly of elected Senators to guide them following the rules laid out in the agreement called the Niagara Compromise.

I enjoyed how the author parallels the house negro vs the field negro with the first and second brother. You have the people who are chosen from birth to be record keepers and taught in fancy schools run by white people. And then you also have the laborers who do the backbreaking agriculture work. But this also isn't as simplified as the mixed light-skinned people got to go to school and become record keepers either which I was glad for. Though featurism is at play and there are some more fair skinned record keepers. Looks aren't often described in this story in clear detail but our protagonist Arika is not mixed and she is described as medium brown in complexion. In the Kongo Classification section of the Niagara Compromise two brothers are described each as dark as the other. However one is described as having a narrow nose and more intellect while the other is described as having a a heavy nostril and being more brutish in mind. The first brother rules the second brother. The record keeper's role is to keep the workers in their place in the fields.

Arika experiences heavy trauma as a child upon entering the school that breaks her rebellious spirit. To counteract said trauma she becomes the model student inciting the doctrines to the point where she actually starts convincing herself that the doctrines are valid. Through this story we see her awakening as she finally looks beyond her privilege and realizes the suffering her people are facing. She gains an understanding of how the Niagara Compromise freely lists all of the darker skinned Kongo's supposed weaknesses but lists very few for the white skinned English. She also knew the school textbooks censored history but she did not truly understand to the extent.

The Record Keeper is a solid dystopian tale full of twists and strong but not overly complex world building that will have you craving for more. And since a second book is releasing next year I'm curious to see how things continue.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Real page-turner!
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
This debut novel is a page-turner! The story pulls from history and is set in a post apocalyptic society with certain oppressed groups of people. We follow the main character through a journey of self discovery in the midst of big changes in their societal structures. The reader gets to know the heroine's heart and drive and we see her transform. If you are looking for a story to get lost in, but with big ideas to contemplate- this is it!
3 people found this helpful
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Jessica Bauer
5.0 out of 5 stars Introspective Page Turner
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
I couldn’t put it down and the book makes you really stop and think in a critical and introspective way. The book is written beautifully and has a protagonist who is easily relatable. Thoroughly enjoyed!
2 people found this helpful
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Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put the book down
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2023
I must admit I've been on a dystopian/futuristic binge lately. I read 1984, then delved into Netflix series 'The 100', then 'The Man in the High Castle', then 'Alice in Borderland'. So, when I picked up this book at the local Dollar Tree, I got drawn to the post-apocalyptic world the author created straight away. It's an easy read, but is filled with contradicting themes of obedience v. revenge, power v. truth, subservience v. freedom. The characters are relatable with substance. There is lots to unpack in this book and it made it that much more interesting to read. Two of my friends asked to borrow it after I finished. I can't wait to read the 2nd book.
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Jozef Syndicate
4.0 out of 5 stars Be uncomfortable but don't put this one down.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019
It's hard to turn the final page of "The Record Keeper" without experiencing a significant moment of reflection and revelation. To sum it up as a dystopian novel that examines race relations is minimizing. Agnes Gomillion delivers such a profoundly well-written, meticulously crafted debut in "The Record Keeper"--and you can bet you missed chunks of backstory, personal/cultural strife, intellectual deceit, character flaws, conflict after conflict.

Expect excited and uncomfortable book club discussions and reader debates stemming from the themes on societal "rules", forced education, class-ism/colorism/racism, and family/community. Even historical and present day references (i.e Niagara Compromise, war strategies, white-face, population control, racial separation) will challenge readers to probe into whether beliefs and behaviors of groups of people--including their own--are forced, assimilated truths, or intentional deception of the "greater good." And what should happen when the answer is revealed? Is Arika's response appropriate? William's? Volitare's? Jones's?

Don't put "The Record Keeper" down. You will miss something.

4.5-stars. @JozefSyndicate #JozefBookandBrew

ARC received from Titan Books
Customer image
Jozef Syndicate
4.0 out of 5 stars Be uncomfortable but don't put this one down.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2019
It's hard to turn the final page of "The Record Keeper" without experiencing a significant moment of reflection and revelation. To sum it up as a dystopian novel that examines race relations is minimizing. Agnes Gomillion delivers such a profoundly well-written, meticulously crafted debut in "The Record Keeper"--and you can bet you missed chunks of backstory, personal/cultural strife, intellectual deceit, character flaws, conflict after conflict.

Expect excited and uncomfortable book club discussions and reader debates stemming from the themes on societal "rules", forced education, class-ism/colorism/racism, and family/community. Even historical and present day references (i.e Niagara Compromise, war strategies, white-face, population control, racial separation) will challenge readers to probe into whether beliefs and behaviors of groups of people--including their own--are forced, assimilated truths, or intentional deception of the "greater good." And what should happen when the answer is revealed? Is Arika's response appropriate? William's? Volitare's? Jones's?

Don't put "The Record Keeper" down. You will miss something.

4.5-stars. @JozefSyndicate #JozefBookandBrew

ARC received from Titan Books
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4 people found this helpful
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Biantae Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars POWERFUL
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
“If they can’t remember their history, they won’t remember their grievances. And so bereft, they won’t resist the law. Thus peace in America is accomplished”

This book points to the importance of remembering them history of those who were oppressed. We all know the saying knowledge is power and in the dystopia this saying holds weight. In a world where those separated by races with the ignorance of peace, the character Akira explore the true meaning of the world around, in her search of truth she finds LIBERATION.

I highly highly recommend, this author writes so beautifully what many of us wish to say. I loved the world building. Although you may be confused at times it resonates that the character is also confused at the world around her and you both come to clarity and find the truth together.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid
Reviewed in Australia on November 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Not perfect overall, but has moments approaching faultlessness. Definitely leaves one hankering for a sequel to learn more of this plausible post apocalyptic world. Avoids the preachiness that may have easily infiltrated and lessened this very readable page turner...
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