Oroonoko, and Other Writings (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Aphra Behn (Author), Paul Salzman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0192834606 | ISBN-13: 978-0192834607

The most complete collection of the work of Aphra Behn (1640-89) available, this volume contains Oroonoko and five other works of fiction ranging from comedy and high melodrama to tragedy. The works included--The Fair Jilt, Memoirs of the Court of the King of Bantam, The History of the Nun, The Adventure of the Black Lady, and The Unfortunate Bride--are complemented by a generous selection of her poetry from public political verse to lyrics and witty conversation poems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'One could simply enjoy the collection as well-written Restoration diversions rather than as significant tracts.' Wendy Rowland, Literary Review

'Behn knew the West Indies and describes it as a sumptuous natural paradise. it is a gripping story of honour and dishonour, One could simply enjoy the collection as well-written Restoration diversions rather than a significant tract.' Literary Review. Aug '94

About the Author

Paul Salzman is Senior Lecturer, La Trobe University, Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192834606
• ISBN-13: 978-0192834607
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,645,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Aphra Behn's Oroonoko, January 13, 2012

By 

K. Gilligan "grad student & literature lover" (Haddon Heights, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oroonoko, and Other Writings (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

(This review is about the novel "Oroonoko" as I have not yet had a chance to read the other short works included in the text)

This is the second time I've had to read this for a class--this time it is included in my 17th and 18th century literature class, otherwise it is unlikely that I would have ever picked it up. Aphra Behn is clearly a talented writer. Better known for her plays, she also wrote poetry, short stories, and novels. "Oroonoko" is one of her novels, though it was later turned into a play by Thomas Southern. I actually recommend reading them together (Oroonoko. A tragedy. By Thomas Southern.,) though one should certainly read Behn first as Southern took enormous liberties with the original story which included adding comedy and changing the race of major characters. But it is by reading Southern and seeing the changes he made, that one can really appreciate Behn.

"Oroonoko" is about an African prince from Suriname who falls in love with a woman named Imoinda. He marries her but unfortunately the king falls in love with her beauty and claims her for himself. The lovers continue to meet in secret but are eventually discovered, and sold into slavery. Behn goes out of her way to describe Oroonoko as an honorable, intelligent, and handsome man who believes the best in vitually everybody he meets. He is a heroic warrior, who was only tricked into slavery because he is betrayed. The lovers eventually remeet in America (both as slaves), where Oroonoko continues to leave his mark on everyone he meets. It seems nobody can believe how kind and honest he is. Meanwhile everyone continues to fall in love with Imoinda because of her incredible beauty. Oroonoko eventually forms a rebellion in order for his family to escape their slavery. I will not spoil the ending except to say that it does not end happily for either of the lovers. There aren't any words to describe it except perhaps-- gruesome.

In all, one can hardly read it without thinking of Dryden or Shakespeare, but it is still an impressive work that needs to be more widely read than it is now.

5 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Juicy Eurocentrism, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Oroonoko, and Other Writings (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Ideal for the author - is - dead scholarship. Whatever the ideological positon of the Royalist Restoration woman writer, one can critique the Eurocentrism of the narrator or applaud the subversive terrain of the novel as it depicts the slave rebellion. One may react with contempt at the narration of a sordid tale of slave contained or praise the novelist for having the foresight to hint at the importance of the colonial enterprise to the the mother country at a time when few other cannonized writers were doing that.