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2.84 AVERAGE
2.84 AVERAGE
Between having been written by one of the first female authors and having one of the first cross-racial writer/protagonist duos, I can see why this story has been canonized. It's an important piece, to be sure.
However, as a story, it's abysmal. If I'm going subject myself to seventeenth century English, I need a better reason than this.
However, as a story, it's abysmal. If I'm going subject myself to seventeenth century English, I need a better reason than this.
A high school read, so I might have felt better about this novel had a read it with a more mature mind. Alas, I will not be returning to it to find out.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
I read this for my Brit lit class and, respectfully, what the FUCK
I am not going to rate this out of five as I read it mostly as a piece of primary source material, and didn't exactly enjoy this book. However, it was useful material to explore and understand the way in which rhetoric around race and slavery was constructed and how both white men and women where complicit or active in constructing and perpetuating it.
In particular this was useful in demonstrating the intersectionality between race, gender and class in power structures during 17th Century (and beyond) and offers a lot to unpick around the construction of the 'Noble Savage' and conflicting European attitudes about race - between a construction of an animalistic savage and an exoticised ideal.
In particular this was useful in demonstrating the intersectionality between race, gender and class in power structures during 17th Century (and beyond) and offers a lot to unpick around the construction of the 'Noble Savage' and conflicting European attitudes about race - between a construction of an animalistic savage and an exoticised ideal.
Whatever I expected from this novel it wasn't that. A feminist manifesto and anti-slavery manifesto this is certainly not!
It's certainly problematic, but as a study of colonial life it could be accurate. Behn's implicit (and explicit) social critique really doesn't stand the test of time - a shame, because I really wanted to adore her - but then doesn't all 17th Century literature? I was left baffled and a little sick by the end. I'd be very interested to read more Behn though, the woman behind a work like this must have been very interesting...
It's certainly problematic, but as a study of colonial life it could be accurate. Behn's implicit (and explicit) social critique really doesn't stand the test of time - a shame, because I really wanted to adore her - but then doesn't all 17th Century literature? I was left baffled and a little sick by the end. I'd be very interested to read more Behn though, the woman behind a work like this must have been very interesting...
some really really interesting glimpses in this sometimes. the core philosophy is so outspoken and clear in some points yet so opaque and unspoken in others it can't help but fascinate. also the worst book i've ever read
A wild wild ride on race and religion and politics. Lots of potential for rich analysis in this early novelistic text.
Read for my Shakespeare & Early Modern Literature class.
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
