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A review by ilseoo
Oroonoko by Aphra Behn
3.0
2.5 stars.
I had to read this book for university.
I found the book well written and I liked the insight into the 17th century culture of the original inhabitants of Surinam. However, even though the Europeans certainly did not escape criticism, the racism in this book (such as describing Oroonoko as handsome only because his features are more European than African and ascribing his good manners to his European tutor) threw me off too much. I also felt that at times it romanticised slavery and the circumstances of the sugar plantation. I know this book played a role in the battle against the slave trade, but for modern-day readers it is still very racist and downplays the horrible circumstances of slavery.
I had to read this book for university.
I found the book well written and I liked the insight into the 17th century culture of the original inhabitants of Surinam. However, even though the Europeans certainly did not escape criticism, the racism in this book (such as describing Oroonoko as handsome only because his features are more European than African and ascribing his good manners to his European tutor) threw me off too much. I also felt that at times it romanticised slavery and the circumstances of the sugar plantation. I know this book played a role in the battle against the slave trade, but for modern-day readers it is still very racist and downplays the horrible circumstances of slavery.