Ourika by Claire de Duras

Translated into English and with a foreword by John Fowles

Ourika is a delightful novella set in France during the French Revolution. Published in 1825, de Duras' story represents a number of firsts: the first novel set in Europe to have a black heroine; the first French literary work narrated by a black female; and the first serious attempt by a white author to express the feelings of a black character. The story is based on a true account of a Senegalese girl rescued from slavery and raised by an aristocratic French family. John Fowles described this story as being 'very active in my unconscious' as he was writing The French Lieutenant's Woman.

John Fowles was curator of Lyme Regis Museum from 1979-88.

Publisher The Modern Language Association of America
Format 21.5 x 14 cm
No. of pages 47
Cover Softcover