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A review by katmackie
Oroonoko by Aphra Behn
3.0
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.