Tragic romance exposes brutality of early colonialism.
"Oroonoko" isn't just an engrossing read—it's pivotal historical literature. Aphra Behn, as the first recognized professional female writer in English, offers you more than just a story; she invites you into a nuanced examination of the horrors of slavery and colonialism through the eyes of an African prince. This novel may entice you especially if you're drawn to the complexities of history and the early stirrings of anti-slavery sentiment, told with a sense of tragedy and a grasp of the human condition that feels remarkably modern.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
ISBN: 9780140439885
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Date of Publication: 2004-05-25
Format: Paperback
Goodreads rating: 3.01
(rated by 15838 readers)
Description
When Prince Oroonoko's passion for the virtuous Imoinda arouses the jealousy of his grandfather, the lovers are cast into slavery and transported from Africa to the colony of Surinam. Oroonoko's noble bearing soon wins the respect of his English captors, but his struggle for freedom brings about his destruction. Inspired by Aphra Behn's visit to Surinam, Oroonoko reflects the author's romantic views of native peoples as being in "the first state of innocence, before man knew how to sin." The novel also reveals Behn's ambiguous attitude toward slavery: while she favored it as a means to strengthen England's power, her powerful and moving work conveys its injustice and brutality.
Condition guide
Book Condition Guide
Books in Like New Condition
This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
Books in Very Good Condition
This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.
*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Tragic romance exposes brutality of early colonialism.
"Oroonoko" isn't just an engrossing read—it's pivotal historical literature. Aphra Behn, as the first recognized professional female writer in English, offers you more than just a story; she invites you into a nuanced examination of the horrors of slavery and colonialism through the eyes of an African prince. This novel may entice you especially if you're drawn to the complexities of history and the early stirrings of anti-slavery sentiment, told with a sense of tragedy and a grasp of the human condition that feels remarkably modern.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
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