I thought the role of the narrator was an interesting aspect of this novel. There are moments where it’s easy to get lost in the plot and the series of events, especially during those longer sections of what appears to be a sort of omniscient third person narration. Because of that, it always took me a little bit by surprise when the narrator would reinsert herself and draw attention to her own awareness of recounting this story for readers. I think there’s also a compelling mix of her voice and observations about the characters, both of their physical appearances and certain personal qualities, which are truly subjective but recounted in such an assured and matter of fact way. The story seems to float in between those two registers of personal voice and omniscient truth. 

“Nevertheless, he shone thro’ all, and his Osenbrigs (a sort of brown Holland Suit he had on) could not conceal the Graces of his Looks and Mein; and he had no less Admirers than when he had his dazling Habit on: The Royal Youth appear’d in spite of the Slave, and People could not help treating him after a different Manner, without designing it.” (62-63) I liked this moment in the novel, even though there are many moments when the narrator is being complementary to Oroonoko, because it felt like such a vivid depiction of his strong sense of self. Even though he tried to avoid the attention by changing his clothing, his character could not be hidden. 

The deaths in this novel were so brutal. I wonder how those moments were received, and what the audience was for this book.