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Rating: 
Summary: A short, historically monumental book of unexpected force
Review: Ourika is one of the first Western narratives ever to be told primarily from the perspective of an African, recently rediscovered from its relative obscurity. While Duras herself and her narrator are both white, the story is of the powerful tragedy of the life of a young black woman taken in by a rich French family in exile, and is mostly told by Ourika herself. While this synopsis sounded boring to me when I first picked the book up, I was instantly drawn in by the engaging language and highly emotional episodes of the heroine's unusual experience. At times I was actually moved to tears, despite my conscious resisitance. The character of Ourika is a three-dimensional gem of psychological strength, and her story is at once heartbreaking and hope-giving. This edition is also physically beautiful and printed on nice paper; a steal for what is sure to become a more popular classic in the years to come.
Rating:
Summary: A short, historically monumental book of unexpected force
Review: Ourika is one of the first Western narratives ever to be told primarily from the perspective of an African, recently rediscovered from its relative obscurity. While Duras herself and her narrator are both white, the story is of the powerful tragedy of the life of a young black woman taken in by a rich French family in exile, and is mostly told by Ourika herself. While this synopsis sounded boring to me when I first picked the book up, I was instantly drawn in by the engaging language and highly emotional episodes of the heroine's unusual experience. At times I was actually moved to tears, despite my conscious resisitance. The character of Ourika is a three-dimensional gem of psychological strength, and her story is at once heartbreaking and hope-giving. This edition is also physically beautiful and printed on nice paper; a steal for what is sure to become a more popular classic in the years to come.
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