Stolen Heiress-Susanna Centlivre

from Oroonoko · host Thomas Southerne

"Stolen Heiress" by Susanna Centlivre is a captivating exploration of identity, deception, and the quest for love and belonging. This timeless tale delves into the complexities of social status and the lengths one will go to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Its themes of resilience and the pursuit of happiness resonate powerfully in today's world, reminding us of the enduring struggle against societal constraints. Centlivre's sharp wit and insightful commentary on human nature make this story not only entertaining but also relevant, as it encourages listeners to reflect on their own journeys of self-discovery and the importance of authenticity in a world filled with pretense.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 8, 2026

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Stolen Heiress-Susanna Centlivre

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Oroonoko, or The Royal Slave by Aphra Behn (1640 - 1689) LibriVox Aphra Behn was the first woman writer in England to make a living by her pen, and her novel Oroonoko was the first work published in English to express sympathy for African slaves. Perhaps based partly on Behn's own experiences living in Surinam, the novel tells the tragic story of a noble slave, Oroonoko, and his love Imoinda. The work was an instant success and was adapted for the stage in 1695 (and more recently by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1999). Behn's work paved the way for women writers who came after her, as Virginia Woolf noted in a Room of One's Own (1928): "All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, ... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds." (Summary by Elizabeth Klett) Oroonoko, or The Royal Slave Aphra Behn Aphra Behn made history as the first female writer in England to support herself through her writing, and her groundbreaking novel Oroonoko stands as the first English work to convey empathy for African slaves. Drawing partly from her own experiences in Surinam, this poignant tale unfolds the heartbreaking journey of Oroonoko, a nobleman turned slave, and his beloved Imoinda. The novel captivated readers upon its release and has since been adapted for the stage, including a notable production by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1999. Behns legacy has paved the way for countless women writers, as Virginia Woolf famously remarked in A Room of Ones Own (1928) All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, ... for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds. (Summary by Elizabeth Klett) Oroonoko by Thomas Southerne (1660 - 1746) LibriVox Based on Aphra Behn's 1688 novel (which is one of the earliest novels in the English language), Thomas Southerne's Oroonoko is seen by scholars today as the driving force that kept Behn's work from fading into obscurity. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it was considered even more popular than the novel, presenting theatergoing audiences with a highly touching tale of pathos and tragedy involving the eponymous prince-turned-slave and his undying devotion to his beloved wife, Imoinda. However, in this version, unlike in Behn's novel, Imoinda is a white woman, and there is also a comic subplot involving the husband-hunting Welldon sisters that caters to Restoration tastes (though in later productions, this subplot was removed altogether). This LibriVox production presents the play as it was first written, and in doing so, brings to the fore a number of interesting themes, such as the importance of individual liberty; the infallibility of true love; and the quick wit Oroonoko, or The Royal Slave by Aphra Behn Loyal Books Aphra Behn was the first woman writer in England to make a living by her pen, and her novel Oroonoko was the first work published in English to express sympathy for African slaves. Perhaps based partly on Behn’s own experiences living in Surinam, the novel tells the tragic story of a noble slave, Oroonoko, and his love Imoinda. The work was an instant success and was adapted for the stage in 1695 (and more recently by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1999). Behn’s work paved the way for women writers who came after her, as Virginia Woolf noted in a Room of One’s Own (1928): “All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, … for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.”

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