Litsy

Oroonoko | Aphra Behn

pick

I‘m not quite sure how best to describe this tragic romance wrapped up in a slave narrative. Although seeming strangely uneven to me in the way Oroonoko was treated, it details the brutality of slavery. I can appreciate its impact when written by a woman and published in 1688.

I had this in my TBR for #ReadingTheAmericas2023 but just got to it today. #Suriname

#1001books #audiobook

20 likes

Texreader

Oroonoko | Aphra Behn

pick

This book, published in 1688, is brutal, by a woman “often cited as the first known professional female writer.” Prince Oroonoko‘s betrothed is sold into slavery. Then he is tricked by an evil English slave trader and sold into slavery. Shipped to #Suriname, he finds his lover owned by the same master. Initially treated well because of his royalty, he is betrayed again. So he kills his love, and himself in the most gruesome of ways. All of this ⬇️

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

Texreader in the summary, so no spoilers. But that‘s the entire story. Beautiful imagery of the country, Behn is a lovely writer. I‘m trying to decide if she was opposed to slavery. Some times she seems to excuse it, but given the brutality of the story I tend to think she very much opposed it. A hard but short read. Prepare yourself accordingly if you decide to read it. #readingtheAmericas 5mo

BarbaraBB Glad it‘s a pick for you 5mo

Librarybelle Great review! 5mo

44 likes3 comments

Texreader

Oroonoko | Aphra Behn

My next audiobook for #Suriname for #ReadingtheAmericas

This is one of the 3 countries I have left for this challenge.

@Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

BarbaraBB Oh I read this one. It‘s hard… 6mo

Librarybelle Stacking! 6mo

46 likes2 stack adds2 comments

Hooked_on_books

On a Woman's Madness | Astrid Roemer

pan

Despite being one of the books I was more intrigued about from the NBA translated literature list (plus, it made the shortlist), this just didn‘t do anything for me. It tended to jump around in a way I didn‘t like, I didn‘t care for the writing, and it didn‘t have a strong sense of place in #Suriname.

#ReadingAmericas2023

Librarybelle, BarbaraBB

Librarybelle That‘s a shame! 6mo

BarbaraBB I remember feeling that way too when I read it, but that was ages ago. I hoped it would have gained relevance in the mean time but I do doubt that now. 6mo

Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB I feel like some of the topics covered were really worthwhile, but it just didn‘t really work. I‘m disappointed to see it on the short list. 6mo

44 likes1 stack add3 comments

Hooked_on_books

On a Woman's Madness | Astrid Roemer

It‘s the most wonderful week of the year: the release of the National Book Award longlists! 🥳🎉🎊 Above is translated lit, which you can read more about here: https://www.nationalbook.org/2023-national-book-awards-longlist-for-translated-l...

Plus, the tagged is set in Suriname, which I need for #ReadingAmericas2023. Bonus! Tomorrow, the nonfiction list (probably my favorite)!

BarbaraBB Thanks! Diving into it! 8mo

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen You were looking for some good NF right? See Holly‘s post! (edited) 8mo

BarbaraBB The Astrid Roemer one is an oldie, it was published in the Netherlands in 1982! 8mo

Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB Clearly it has stood the test of time! I love when a book can make an impact so many years later for whatever reason, in this case because it‘s finally been translated. 8mo

42 likes4 comments

Texreader

Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium | Maria Sibylla Merian