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A review by sunkernplus
Oroonoko by Aphra Behn
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"No, I would not kill my self, even after a whipping, but be content to live with that infamy, and be pointed at by every grinning slave, till I have compleated my revenge; and then you shall see, that Oroonoko scorns to live with the indignity that was put on Caesar."
-Oroonoko, Aphra Behn
Surprisingly, I actually really liked this. Aside from the stuff that was...very understandably Way Racist Even For It's Time, this story was a fantastic 18th century Greek tragedy about a man who had only known suffering, and his gradual descent into rage and suicidal ideation.
I'm not surprised if it inspired a lot of modernist Black authors (i.e. Ralph Ellison) to write stories of Black alienation and suicidal rage like Invisible Man, and yet that same fierceness, that same "wanting to die but willing to live for spite until the ultimate day of revenge comes" is very present in a lot of modernist movement Black authors like Ellison. Perhaps that what drew me to it when most others did not like this book.
-Oroonoko, Aphra Behn
Surprisingly, I actually really liked this. Aside from the stuff that was...very understandably Way Racist Even For It's Time, this story was a fantastic 18th century Greek tragedy about a man who had only known suffering, and his gradual descent into rage and suicidal ideation.
I'm not surprised if it inspired a lot of modernist Black authors (i.e. Ralph Ellison) to write stories of Black alienation and suicidal rage like Invisible Man, and yet that same fierceness, that same "wanting to die but willing to live for spite until the ultimate day of revenge comes" is very present in a lot of modernist movement Black authors like Ellison. Perhaps that what drew me to it when most others did not like this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt