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2.84 AVERAGE
2.84 AVERAGE
Would I have ever read this outside a classroom setting? Probably not.
Is it the worst book I've read for college? Nope.
I liked the class discussions for this book more than the actual book itself. But also a white woman writing about slavery isn't great, so.
2.5 out of 5 stars, solely because it was a quick read.
Is it the worst book I've read for college? Nope.
I liked the class discussions for this book more than the actual book itself. But also a white woman writing about slavery isn't great, so.
2.5 out of 5 stars, solely because it was a quick read.
Honestly, this book baffled me. I found the language confusing and convoluted - which is fair enough given it's age, but even so it put me off. It felt like there was a lot of rambling for not much story. Not a lot seemed to happen, but when it did it was tragic and detailed. I read this as part of my degree, and it is interesting to read it from a critical standpoint. I am looking forward to analysing it further.
Read for:
EN1004: Explorers and Revolutionaries - Literature 1680-1830
To be totally honest, I don't really see what all the fuss is about. Okay, it's one of the first novels (although it's only 77 pages long) written by a woman and it discusses a controversial issue (slavery). I admire Aphra Behn for wanting to write a novel on such an issue, especially considering she's a woman and it was the 17th century. And I will admit that 'Oroonoko' was surprisingly easy to read and I ploughed through it faster than other novellas of similar length such as 'Heart of Darkness' - which, incidentally, I enjoyed a lot more. But I finished the book just feeling...blah. Nothing. We've had two lectures on it so far, and the only interesting thing that either of our lecturers has had to say is that Aphra Behn repeats certain words or phrases a lot in different contexts! This book didn't speak to me at all, and although it was kind of interesting in a few places I have to say that I'm really hoping that I love the next couple of texts in our course as I don't think I could churn out two thousand words on Oroonoko for my first essay. I'd recommend this book if you're interesting in the emergence of the novel, or the emergence of female writers or even the emergence of slave narratives. But it's not one I'd recommend for the entertainment or enjoyment factor. 4/10
EN1004: Explorers and Revolutionaries - Literature 1680-1830
To be totally honest, I don't really see what all the fuss is about. Okay, it's one of the first novels (although it's only 77 pages long) written by a woman and it discusses a controversial issue (slavery). I admire Aphra Behn for wanting to write a novel on such an issue, especially considering she's a woman and it was the 17th century. And I will admit that 'Oroonoko' was surprisingly easy to read and I ploughed through it faster than other novellas of similar length such as 'Heart of Darkness' - which, incidentally, I enjoyed a lot more. But I finished the book just feeling...blah. Nothing. We've had two lectures on it so far, and the only interesting thing that either of our lecturers has had to say is that Aphra Behn repeats certain words or phrases a lot in different contexts! This book didn't speak to me at all, and although it was kind of interesting in a few places I have to say that I'm really hoping that I love the next couple of texts in our course as I don't think I could churn out two thousand words on Oroonoko for my first essay. I'd recommend this book if you're interesting in the emergence of the novel, or the emergence of female writers or even the emergence of slave narratives. But it's not one I'd recommend for the entertainment or enjoyment factor. 4/10
I have zero idea how to rate this but it’s an interesting read filled with things to critically think about especially when read in tandem to other enlightenment pieces and studying history! aphra behn’s self insert novella is quite the read!
It was a fascinating read, not necessarily engaging, but I can understand why it's important
3.5 stars. Surprisingly engaging story despite its faulty writing as a novel.
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
Enjoyed this book immensely! Very interesting frame narrative in which the criticism (or lack of it) of slavery remains unclear. Behn is more concerned with the paradox of a "royal slave" and Oroonoko's innate nobility than slavery itself.
