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2.84 AVERAGE
2.84 AVERAGE
The story may be problematic/racist in some ways from today's perspective, but I imagine that sympathizing with any black slaves (even if just fictional or if they themselves had been involved in supplying captured prisoners to the Atlantic slave trade) back in 1600s England would have been at least a little subversive. Also, it was fun to read.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
That was the single most horrifying ending to a book that I've read in a long time.
I had my doubts about how a white woman in the 17th century would portray an African man, and it's not all rosy. Oroonoko is only beautiful because he has European traits, like a Roman nose. His noble qualities draw from European epic and romantic conventions. Compared to him, though, Behn's white male characters are scum. And unlike many literary heroes, Oroonoko is a dynamic character: he starts off trusting everyone, and by the end, his blood boils for revenge.
I was honestly so turned off from Behn while I read The Rover, but I have newfound respect for one of England's first professional female writers. The plot may be simple, but there's so much so untangle. It's definitely not all black and white.
I had my doubts about how a white woman in the 17th century would portray an African man, and it's not all rosy. Oroonoko is only beautiful because he has European traits, like a Roman nose. His noble qualities draw from European epic and romantic conventions. Compared to him, though, Behn's white male characters are scum. And unlike many literary heroes, Oroonoko is a dynamic character: he starts off trusting everyone, and by the end, his blood boils for revenge.
I was honestly so turned off from Behn while I read The Rover, but I have newfound respect for one of England's first professional female writers. The plot may be simple, but there's so much so untangle. It's definitely not all black and white.
slow-paced
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a very interesting little book. It's a bit, uh, outdated when it comes to views towards slavery, but when you read it knowing that, it's a pretty good story. Behn's perspective on the practice of slavery is an interesting one both for our time and her own. The thesis appears to be that slavery is okay, but it shouldn't be racially based, which isn't a perspective you hear often. I am glad I read it to see that type of historic viewpoint on the issue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Murder