Oroonoko: A Norton Critical Edition (The Art of the Novella) (Bedford Cultural Editions) (The Norton Library)

by Aphra Behn

Joanna Lipking (Editor)

The editor supplies explanatory annotations and textual notes.

"Historical Backgrounds" is an especially rich collection of seventeenth-and eighteenth-century documents about colonizers and slaves in the new world. Topically arranged-"Montaigne on America," "The Settling of Surinam," "Observers of Slavery, 1654–1712," "After Oroonoko: Noble Africans in Europe," and "Opinions on Slavery"-these selections create a revealing context for Behn’s unusual story. Illustrations and maps are also included.

"Criticism" begins with an overview of responses to Behn and Oroonoko, from learned and popular writers of her time to Sir Walter Scott and Virginia Woolf, among others. Current critical interpretations are by William C. Spengemann, Jane Spencer, Robert L. Chibka, Laura Brown, Charlotte Sussman, and Mary Beth Rose.

A Chronology of Behn’s life and a Selected Bibliography are included.

• ISBN10: 0393970140
• ISBN13: 9780393970142
• Publish Date: 19 February 1997 (first published 17 December 1973)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: WW Norton & Co
• Edition: Critical edition
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Briana @ Pages Unbound]

Definitely does not come across well in the modern age, both for the structure of the story and the racial commentary. The plot does have some sensational points, so I can't that's not interesting.

[journalingirl]

Why I read it?:

Required for my literature course.

What I thought of it?:

It was a really good book. It was dramatic and sad and just interesting. It’s a tale of jealousy and though I rooted for Oroonoko in the beginning, by the end my loyalties had changed. I’m not sure how factual this account is, but it does give readers a depressing look into the slave trade. If you are bored and happen to find a copy of the book, it is a good quick read.