Man these libravox videos always save my life. My brain just shuts off whenever I have to read anything pre 20th century cause I can’t process all the fluff. Having it read to me by someone who knows the right tone to convey, and how weird words should be pronounced, while reading along makes it INFINITELY easier to understand
If anyone is listening to this because they left it off until the night before an exam, paper, etc. try listening with the playback turned up while reading along. I have it at 1.75, pausing to highlight and take notes in the book. I've done this for quite a few novels and plays that are in the public domain. It's a good strategy that works for me!
You're saving my life tonight, I procrastinated reading this until the day before a huge test, and you're the only reason why I have a chance right now. I'm about 40 minutes in and I have just enough time to listen to the rest of this and answer some section summaries before school starts. No sleep tonight, but I won't fail because of you. Also, I love the story, feel real dumb for putting off reading it for so long, it's honestly very interesting.
While attending university, I sat in the laundry room of my apartment and read "Oroonoko." Being an English Major means you're introduced to all manner of things you didn't know existed.
I'm doing this for my literature course this year, and this has been really useful. It's a very fine and mellifluous reading, and it's been a great pleasure to absorb it this way. Many thanks. Steve.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I have to read this for my British Liturature class in college which I find hard to follow and remember what I had just read. This has given me a new appreciation for works of this time period.
My first time actually listening to a reader outside of the Harry Potter series. Really good way to get some insights into this. What a story !! I’m elated!
Great book! As I searched for a good read during Black History Month I came across this audiobook and couldn't resist. This book definitely belongs in any personal collection whether for Black History or literary purposes, or if you're a hopeless romantic! Love it!
Great read from England's premiere female author. One of literatures classics, written during the Restoration period in Europe. Addresses the topic of English and possibly Dutch slave traders, bringing slaves to Suriname. Language is simply the product of its time, the description of Oroonoko and Imoinda, the maiden, very lavish, because in the 17th century there were no TVs. White people were awful to black people for centuries. Behn seems to be giving a sympathetic witness or ghost writer voice to the story of Oroonoko and Imionda.
A nice, quick listen that holds one's interest. Not something to sink your teeth into, however, as its brevity feels like an abridged version of a longer novel. I often lamented the lost opportunity for a more fleshed-out and satisfying description of the events depicted. I must also admit to finding it difficult to suspend disbelief at times due to heavy-handed praise so lavishly bestowed upon the protagonist and his love interest by the author as well as most of the characters that encounter them. Some slaves are known to command a modicum of respect, but the notion that one such captive could be almost universally recognized for his dignity is difficult to swallow. To be fair, this was written early in the American slave trade, before deep-rooted prejudices were firmly established, and there are a couple of characters that do not deal with him honorably, though even these employ a pretense of respect rather than just suppressing him utterly.
The novel as a form had barely developed when Behn wrote this so it's going to be a bit thin by modern standards. Also it's NOT about the American slave trade - Surinam was a Dutch colony in South America. North America wasn't the only place that had slavery
Is this EXACT? Because i'm reading an online version of this text at the same time and a couple of words are different. For example, at one point this says "Kind" but my book says "King." I'm sure it won't matter if the odd word is different but i want to see if the text I'm reading is wrong so i can... well.. stop reading it lol. Fantastic narration though!
This is just my personal interpretation, but I believe she IS against slavery. Behn is very pointed in showing the humanity and goodness of the main black characters (who are the ones worth looking at because Behn would have paid most attention to) and even Oroonoko's adoptive father, as well as in challenging Western ideals like Christianity as morality, which makes little sense with a pro-slavery stance. Why have the white characters kill Oroonoko in a way more barbaric than what any character of colour does? Why constantly and directly criticise the Western ideals that Oroonoko loses faith with only after multiple instances of trickery? Why describe Imoinda's death in such poetic terms and have her give consent first? I'm not going to pretend it's perfect or unquestionable (see Trefry (slave owner) and Oroonoko's friendship, the other slaves bowing to Oroonoko after his arrival, the framing of Oroonoko as what the modern world would call the Exceptional Black (chalk her glorification of the former prince up to her monarchist tendencies), Behn's descriptions of senseless violence by the other minor characters of colour and even Oroonoko at the end, Oroonoko having learnt his morals from a French tutor), but these read to me as a product of growing up in the 17th century world (Behn was alive from 1640 to 1689), where classism, racism and sexism were the norm or at least steeped in the social structure and, most importantly, unconscious bias wasn't a concept that most knew about and therefore the most likely self-educated Behn could not have been expected to examine her biases as a white person. Edit: factual and grammatical corrections, also as I listened to more of the book
Man these libravox videos always save my life. My brain just shuts off whenever I have to read anything pre 20th century cause I can’t process all the fluff. Having it read to me by someone who knows the right tone to convey, and how weird words should be pronounced, while reading along makes it INFINITELY easier to understand
Same! I’ve got to read some of these texts for college but they just get so boring. Thank goodness for audiobooks
LOL same
Part 5. -1:36:02
This one is just too long for me to read it in a day
I’m the same.
If anyone is listening to this because they left it off until the night before an exam, paper, etc. try listening with the playback turned up while reading along. I have it at 1.75, pausing to highlight and take notes in the book. I've done this for quite a few novels and plays that are in the public domain. It's a good strategy that works for me!
that’s what i’m planning to do! glad it’s worked for you :)
You're saving my life tonight, I procrastinated reading this until the day before a huge test, and you're the only reason why I have a chance right now. I'm about 40 minutes in and I have just enough time to listen to the rest of this and answer some section summaries before school starts. No sleep tonight, but I won't fail because of you. Also, I love the story, feel real dumb for putting off reading it for so long, it's honestly very interesting.
I felt that
Similar. Praise The Lord❤!
Well me too 🙏❤️
Hope you got a A+
While attending university, I sat in the laundry room of my apartment and read "Oroonoko." Being an English Major means you're introduced to all manner of things you didn't know existed.
Seeing a bunch of timestamps. I'll collect the contents here.
01 - 0:00:00
02 - 0:16:54
03 - 0:30:39
04 - 0:47:43
05 - 1:01:10
06 - 1:15:27
07 - 1:34:46
08 - 1:48:10
09 - 2:07:04
10 - 2:20:58
a hero
I'm doing this for my literature course this year, and this has been really useful. It's a very fine and mellifluous reading, and it's been a great pleasure to absorb it this way. Many thanks. Steve.
I am a very slow reader you just saved me days worth of reading! THANK YOU! Beautifully done.
Timestamps:
00:16:50 Part 2 00:30:35 Part 3
00:47:43 Part 4 01:01:05 Part 5
01:15:22 Part 6 01:34:46 Part 7
01:48:06 Part 8 02:07:02 Part 9
02:20:58 Part 10
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I have to read this for my British Liturature class in college which I find hard to follow and remember what I had just read. This has given me a new appreciation for works of this time period.
I'm the exact same!! Everything leaves my head instantly
Elizabeth Klett is my favourite narrator, I was so happy to hear she's narrating this! Very useful
What would I have done without this reading, thank you it helped a million.
My first time actually listening to a reader outside of the Harry Potter series. Really good way to get some insights into this. What a story !! I’m elated!
Great book! As I searched for a good read during Black History Month I came across this audiobook and couldn't resist. This book definitely belongs in any personal collection whether for Black History or literary purposes, or if you're a hopeless romantic! Love it!
Thank you Justin. Couldn't agree more! FAB
Agreed!
Got an essay due at midnight. It’s currently noon. Let’s get it
Update?
This saved me before my Literature class tomorrow! Yall great! Cheers
I'm so happy that these reading exist, I am so tired, and I'm so happy that I can get this read to me
Thank you so much. This is a huge lifesaver for me.
This is the most tragic story I've ever read. Romeo and Juliet is pathetic compared to this. :(
Great read from England's premiere female author. One of literatures classics, written during the Restoration period in Europe. Addresses the topic of English and possibly Dutch slave traders, bringing slaves to Suriname. Language is simply the product of its time, the description of Oroonoko and Imoinda, the maiden, very lavish, because in the 17th century there were no TVs. White people were awful to black people for centuries. Behn seems to be giving a sympathetic witness or ghost writer voice to the story of Oroonoko and Imionda.
A nice, quick listen that holds one's interest. Not something to sink your teeth into, however, as its brevity feels like an abridged version of a longer novel. I often lamented the lost opportunity for a more fleshed-out and satisfying description of the events depicted. I must also admit to finding it difficult to suspend disbelief at times due to heavy-handed praise so lavishly bestowed upon the protagonist and his love interest by the author as well as most of the characters that encounter them.
Some slaves are known to command a modicum of respect, but the notion that one such captive could be almost universally recognized for his dignity is difficult to swallow. To be fair, this was written early in the American slave trade, before deep-rooted prejudices were firmly established, and there are a couple of characters that do not deal with him honorably, though even these employ a pretense of respect rather than just suppressing him utterly.
The novel as a form had barely developed when Behn wrote this so it's going to be a bit thin by modern standards. Also it's NOT about the American slave trade - Surinam was a Dutch colony in South America. North America wasn't the only place that had slavery
Thank you for posting!
Thank you for your comment! FAB
Thank you for this upload!!!
Thank you for your comment Kelly. We're glad this audiobook spoke to you. FAB
0:00 Part 1
Tremendous help. Thanks a lot
Thank you Javier. FAB
Bookmarked @ 1:17:40
timestamp for assignment 0:27:17 - 0:29:52
Part 8 - 1:48:10
Part 9 - 2:07:04
thanks 4 uploading :)
Thank you for your comment. We believe this is a really historically important book.
Anyone else hoping this gets optioned for film?
16:54 Part 2
1:48:11 Part 8
Is this EXACT? Because i'm reading an online version of this text at the same time and a couple of words are different. For example, at one point this says "Kind" but my book says "King."
I'm sure it won't matter if the odd word is different but i want to see if the text I'm reading is wrong so i can... well.. stop reading it lol.
Fantastic narration though!
Thank you for uploading this. Such a good novel.
Great Book
1:01:10 Part 5
part 7: 1:34:54
Nice... But apra behn's writing supposed to be make in film.... She is the first woman writer of England.
2:21:00 Part 10
bookmark: 1:19:56
Part 2 16:52
bookmark 1:34:56
30:39 Part 3
Bookmark 1:00:07
1:44:38 - bookmark
:'( the ending :'(
1:42:59
hot take, this book sucks.
It shouldn't be a hot take, this book is actual garbage.
1:40:27 bookmark
1:15:48 placemark Thank You
1:45:31 Thank You LORD JESUS CHRIST
Stop 1:15:13
part 4: 0:47:48
EH 208 just got a little nicer.
Part 7 1:33
1:49:30 pg 48
1:06:00
part 6: 1:15:25
1:34:47 pg 46
2:00:00
55:50 pg 28
1:10:00
1:01:06 p176
40:47 pg 22
2:01
49:09
30:17
B.
Also, can anyone tell what stance this has ON slavoiry? I can't really figure out what her stance is
This is just my personal interpretation, but I believe she IS against slavery. Behn is very pointed in showing the humanity and goodness of the main black characters (who are the ones worth looking at because Behn would have paid most attention to) and even Oroonoko's adoptive father, as well as in challenging Western ideals like Christianity as morality, which makes little sense with a pro-slavery stance. Why have the white characters kill Oroonoko in a way more barbaric than what any character of colour does? Why constantly and directly criticise the Western ideals that Oroonoko loses faith with only after multiple instances of trickery? Why describe Imoinda's death in such poetic terms and have her give consent first? I'm not going to pretend it's perfect or unquestionable (see Trefry (slave owner) and Oroonoko's friendship, the other slaves bowing to Oroonoko after his arrival, the framing of Oroonoko as what the modern world would call the Exceptional Black (chalk her glorification of the former prince up to her monarchist tendencies), Behn's descriptions of senseless violence by the other minor characters of colour and even Oroonoko at the end, Oroonoko having learnt his morals from a French tutor), but these read to me as a product of growing up in the 17th century world (Behn was alive from 1640 to 1689), where classism, racism and sexism were the norm or at least steeped in the social structure and, most importantly, unconscious bias wasn't a concept that most knew about and therefore the most likely self-educated Behn could not have been expected to examine her biases as a white person.
Edit: factual and grammatical corrections, also as I listened to more of the book
Why the false British accent?
29:26
40:27
2:07:07 Part 9
1:15:27 Part 6
1:45:12
2:02:35
1:22:55
1:54:52
1:01:12
1:22:17
2:01:19
2:01:19
1:10:44