A great story, but very old and those types of books can take alot of concentration for me. Interesting notes on early Slave Trade though and Africa. ( )

Short novel, but a great one! I really enjoyed the love story. ( )

Oroonoko is quite possibly, and arguably so, one of the earliest American novels. This Norton critical edition goes above and beyond the original work by including annotations, critical essays, as well as pieces of the play adapted by Thomas Southerne.

Oroonoko is the story of an African prince named Oroonoko and his love Imoinda. Oroonoko's father, the king, takes a fancy to Imoinda and takes her into his harem. Oroonoko does not like this, and holds secret meetings with Imoinda to the anger of his father, who then sells her as a slave.

Oroonoko, as well, comes to meet slavery through an English slaver, and is sent to a Suriname sugar cane plantation.

The lovers reunite, and Oroonoko stages a slave riot, only to meet tragedy in the end.

As far as light afternoon reading goes, this book would probably be out; however, if you are interested in the early colonial periods and the affects of slavery therein, you may find Oroonoko and interesting glimpse into that world. ( )