Oroonoko by Aphra Behn (Penguin Classics)

Description

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn is a groundbreaking work of literature, often hailed as one of the earliest English novels and a pioneering example of anti-slavery sentiment. First published in 1688, the story is narrated by an unnamed woman who recounts the life of Oroonoko, an African prince of noble lineage, whose extraordinary qualities set him apart as a paragon of honor and virtue.

The tale follows Oroonoko’s tragic journey from his homeland, where he is betrayed and sold into slavery, to the colony of Surinam. There, he reunites with his beloved Imoinda, but their hopes for freedom and happiness are thwarted by the cruelty of colonial powers. Behn vividly depicts the horrors of slavery while exploring themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the clash between idealism and reality.

Through its rich prose and complex characterization, Oroonoko challenges prevailing views of race, power, and morality in its time. Aphra Behn, one of the first professional female writers in English literature, blends her narrative with elements of autobiography and philosophical reflection, creating a work that is both a historical artifact and a timeless meditation on human dignity and injustice.