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2.84 AVERAGE
2.84 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Colonisation
Oroonoko is a complicated novel for me to rate.
I think Virginia Woolf was correct in stating that Aphra Behn's career as a whole was more important than any particular work, but I suppose I still have to rate the novella as it stands. I will start by saying that it's historical context seems to be extremely important in understanding before reading it, and for a few reasons. First, Aphra Behn is considered to be the first woman to make a career for herself* (and without a pseudonym!) from writing. Oroonoko was published in 1688 near her death to some success, but it's subject matter is just as significant, which brings me to my second point -- Oroonoko is also considered to be the first story written and published in English to show African slaves in a sympathetic manner. For these two reasons alone it is certainly worth reading, but it is not without it's faults as a novel.
If you have no problem with random capitalization, italicized dialog, and no chapter breaks, (it's a short novel so this didn't take it's toll on me) this is an "easy" adventure/tragedy to read. But the subject matter isn't always painless to uncover. As sympathetic to Oroonoko and his loyal Imoinda as it may be, it's sentiments are most definitely not modern and were at times difficult to read.
With everything going for it (and against it), Oroonoko is an interesting and important read that should continue to be discussed and not forgotten, like it nearly was.
*Also, before Behn had even begun her career as a writer, she was a spy for a bit after her husband croaked shortly after marriage. Behn is pretty rad.
I think Virginia Woolf was correct in stating that Aphra Behn's career as a whole was more important than any particular work, but I suppose I still have to rate the novella as it stands. I will start by saying that it's historical context seems to be extremely important in understanding before reading it, and for a few reasons. First, Aphra Behn is considered to be the first woman to make a career for herself* (and without a pseudonym!) from writing. Oroonoko was published in 1688 near her death to some success, but it's subject matter is just as significant, which brings me to my second point -- Oroonoko is also considered to be the first story written and published in English to show African slaves in a sympathetic manner. For these two reasons alone it is certainly worth reading, but it is not without it's faults as a novel.
If you have no problem with random capitalization, italicized dialog, and no chapter breaks, (it's a short novel so this didn't take it's toll on me) this is an "easy" adventure/tragedy to read. But the subject matter isn't always painless to uncover. As sympathetic to Oroonoko and his loyal Imoinda as it may be, it's sentiments are most definitely not modern and were at times difficult to read.
With everything going for it (and against it), Oroonoko is an interesting and important read that should continue to be discussed and not forgotten, like it nearly was.
*Also, before Behn had even begun her career as a writer, she was a spy for a bit after her husband croaked shortly after marriage. Behn is pretty rad.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this purely because it gets mentioned in A Room of One's Own 👍
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting for historical purpose. A story of the noble savage enslaved (but still savage). Quite short, and well read on Libri Vox
"It is not titles make men brave or good, or birth that bestows courage."
That was a lot better than I expected. I had been warned by a professor in the past that the book is not very accessible and can be tough to read but I dont feel that way at all.
The story was surprisingly easy to follow and there was so much emotional depth in the communication and emotions of the characters. It is also a very clever way of Behn to criticise the Western views that are pressed upon enslaved countries and their people but also slavery in general. It is noticeable that was not quite acceptable to be very critical of slave trade just yet but Behn certainly did her bit.
A valuable piece of literature, even today. The language may not have aged well and the way people discussed slavery in semi-acceptable terms isn't exemplary at all. But Behn's criticism is very substantial and well-argumented. It translates to more than just the topic of human rights or slavery.
That was a lot better than I expected. I had been warned by a professor in the past that the book is not very accessible and can be tough to read but I dont feel that way at all.
The story was surprisingly easy to follow and there was so much emotional depth in the communication and emotions of the characters. It is also a very clever way of Behn to criticise the Western views that are pressed upon enslaved countries and their people but also slavery in general. It is noticeable that was not quite acceptable to be very critical of slave trade just yet but Behn certainly did her bit.
A valuable piece of literature, even today. The language may not have aged well and the way people discussed slavery in semi-acceptable terms isn't exemplary at all. But Behn's criticism is very substantial and well-argumented. It translates to more than just the topic of human rights or slavery.
dark
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated