Oroonoko - Couverture souple

Behn, Aphra

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0140439889 ISBN 13 : 9780140439885

Editeur : Penguin Classics, 2003

Synopsis

Restoration-era poet, playwright and novelist Aphra Behn was the first truly professional woman writer in English, and Oroonoko is her sophisticated and insightful condemnation of slavery. This Penguin Classics edition is edited with an introduction by Janet Todd.

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 view of native peoples as noble savages in 'the first state of innocence, before man knew how to sin'. The novel also reveals Behn's ambiguous attitude to African slavery - while she favoured it as a means to strengthen England's rule, her powerful and moving work conveys its injustice and brutality.

This new edition of Oroonoko is based on the first printed version of 1688, and includes a chronology, further reading and notes. In her introduction, Janet Todd examines Aphra Behn's views of slavery, colonization and politics, and her position as a professional woman writer in the Restoration.

Little is known of Aphra Behn's (1640-1689) early life. She was probably born in Kent, and in the early 1660s claims to have visited the British colony of Surinam. She turned to literature for a living, producing numerous short stories, 19 stage plays and political propaganda for the Tories.

If you enjoyed Oroonoko, you might like Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders, also available in Penguin Classics.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Little is known of Aphra Behn's early life. She was probably born around 1640 in Kent and in the early 1660s claims to have visited the British colony of Surinam. She turned to literature for a living, producing numerous short stories, 19 stage plays and political propaganda for the Tories.
Janet Todd is Francis Hutcheson Professor of English Literature, University of Glasgow and Aphra Behn's biographer.

À propos de la quatrième de couverture

Aphra Behn, the poet, playwright, novelist and political satirist was the first truly professional woman writer in English. This title demonstrates the sophistication and vitality of Aphra Behn's genius. It contains the plays "The Rover" and "The Widow", "Ranter" together with "Love Letters to a Gentleman", a choice of poems.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Penguin Classics
• Date d'édition: 2003
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0140439889
• ISBN 13: 9780140439885
• Reliure: Broché
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 144
• Éditeur: Todd Janet
• Coordonnées du fabricant: The Random House Group Limited; productsafety@penguin.co.uk; ; One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens; London; SW11 7BW; Royaume-Uni
• Personne responsable: The Random House Group Limited; productsafety@penguin.co.uk; ; One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens; London; SW11 7BW; Royaume-Uni