by Aphra Behn
First published 1688
Prince Oroonoko loves the beautiful Imoinda, but their passion ignites the jealousy of his grandfather, the king. Their forbidden romance leads to catastrophe when both lovers find themselves enslaved and shipped from their African homeland to the English colony of Surinam. In this strange new world, Oroonoko's royal dignity and natural leadership earn him the admiration of his English masters. Yet beneath his composed exterior burns an unquenchable desire for freedom. As Oroonoko navigates the brutal realities of colonial slavery, his noble character clashes with the dehumanizing system that holds him captive. His quest to reclaim liberty for himself and Imoinda sets him on a collision course with forces far greater than any individual will. The story explores the devastating personal cost of a system that treats human beings as property, revealing how love and honor can endure even in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, african-literature
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-romance
Setting: Africa, England, Surinam
Period: 17th Century
144 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics
Content warnings: colonialism, slavery