Oroonoko: Critical Edition

The Norton Critical Edition of Aphra Behn's most famous work, Oroonoko, is finally here. This edition presents the original 1688 text, the only version published during Behn's lifetime. The editor provides helpful annotations and textual notes for readers to better understand the text.

Included in this edition is a section titled "Historical Backgrounds," which features a diverse collection of documents from the 17th and 18th centuries related to colonization and slavery in the Americas. Organized by topic, readers will find works such as "Montaigne on America," "The Settling of Surinam," "Observers of Slavery, 1654–1712," "After Oroonoko: Noble Africans in Europe," and "Opinions on Slavery." These documents give valuable context to Behn's unique narrative. Additionally, readers will find illustrations and maps to further enhance their understanding of the text.

The "Criticism" section of this edition offers a comprehensive overview of responses to Behn and Oroonoko, spanning from her contemporaries to modern writers like Sir Walter Scott and Virginia Woolf. Current critical interpretations by scholars such as William C. Spengemann, Jane Spencer, Robert L. Chibka, Laura Brown, Charlotte Sussman, and Mary Beth Rose are also included.

Supplementary materials in this edition include a detailed Chronology of Behn's life and a Selected Bibliography for readers who wish to delve deeper into the author's work. This Norton Critical Edition provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of Oroonoko, shedding light on its historical context and critical reception throughout the centuries.

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