Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.84 AVERAGE
2.84 AVERAGE
Loveable characters:
No
Between its tedious racism, jarringly violent ending, and (to put it mildly) implausible plot Oroonoko is a novel I was never going to like. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be as weird and racist as it was but I'm not surprised at my distaste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A classic. Definitely recommend reading but not my favorite.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
arguably progressive for its time, but doesn't hold up well with age. sidenote: depressing af.
medium-paced
slow-paced
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-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
This book was brutal. I think that may be the best word to describe it. Oroonoko was written in 1688 by the English writer Aphra Behn. Written in an age where British colonisation was prominent and the slave trade was ongoing, Behn writes condemning the institution of slavery, whereas not in the means that immediately you’d assume. She does not criticise the evil of the institution, instead his becoming enslaved lessens the prince Oroonoko’s nobility. This is where I note some substantial flaws in the book, firstly it’s context meaning the institution of slavery is not criticised and in some cases even justified, and secondly in regards to the protagonist of the story. Oroonoko is of nobility and depicted to have a much more comfortable experience than the ordinary slave throughout the majority of the story. Behn avoids the massive and unavoidable issues in her writing only putting emphasis on the nobility of one individual. I would also add this book is full of trigger warnings, notably the slave trade, inappropriate sexual relations and extreme violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking