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36 pages 1 hour read

The Octoroon

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1859

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Book Brief

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Dion Boucicault

The Octoroon

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1859
Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Louisiana • 1850s

Publication Year

1859

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Dion Boucicault's play The Octoroon, the Terrebonne plantation in Louisiana faces foreclosure, with its heir, George, returning from Europe to find it in dire straits. The illegitimate daughter of the late judge, Zoe, is revealed to be an Octoroon, complicating her romantic relationship with George due to racial laws. Meanwhile, the villainous M’Closky schemes to take over the estate and Zoe herself, leading to tragic consequences. Themes of slavery, racial identification, and discrimination are explored in this melodrama. The play includes depictions of slavery, violence, and discussions of racial identity and discrimination.

Mysterious

Dark

Suspenseful

Challenging

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.3

503 ratings

19%

Loved it

38%

Mixed feelings

43%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Octoroon by Dion Boucicault is often praised for its daring exploration of race and identity in the antebellum South, offering a compelling narrative and vivid characters. However, it also faces criticism for perpetuating racial stereotypes and containing elements that are now considered dated and problematic. Overall, it's a complex work that provokes important discussions about its historical context.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Octoroon?

A reader who would enjoy The Octoroon by Dion Boucicault is likely interested in 19th-century melodrama, themes of race and identity, and historical perspectives on slavery. Comparable works include Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and Charles Chesnutt's The Marrow of Tradition.

3.3

503 ratings

19%

Loved it

38%

Mixed feelings

43%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

44

Format

Play • Fiction

Setting

Louisiana • 1850s

Publication Year

1859

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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