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Moll Flanders
Moll Flanders
Author: Daniel Defoe
As Moll Flanders struggles for survival amid the harsh social realities of seventeenth-century England, there is but one snare she is determined to avoid -- the deadly snare of poverty. On the twisting path that leads from her birth in Newgate prison to the final prosperous respectability, love is regarded as worth no more than its weight in gol...  more »
ISBN: 441845
Publication Date: 1964
Pages: 317
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Publisher: Signet
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
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reviewed Moll Flanders on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was written in 1722 and was incredibly daring for its time. Many people still find it risque. It is now regarded as an early feminist work, since it openly discusses gender inequities and the problems of prostitution and abortion: matters which absolutely could not be talked about in the 18th century. In the 18th century, it was not possible for a lady to get a husband without being in possession of landed property or other forms of property. Women were responsible for the payment of their dowry. For this reason, Moll needs to have cash, bonds or landed property in order to get married. Since she is not rich, she pretends to men that she has money so that she can seduce them. She has bad experiences with men and does prison time, leading a hard life, but she never succumbs to bitterness, and the novel even ends on a very happy note. If you missed it in English class (and if you were home schooled, you probably did) you should read it now, especially with the excellent forward by professor James Sutherland.
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garythefowler avatar reviewed Moll Flanders on + 65 more book reviews
Moll tells her crazy story: her birth in Newgate prison, London street life, adventures in nearby towns, multiple marriages, the American colonies... late 17th century. Defoe's writing is what some have called "plain style," as disguished from the scholastic writing, pretentious verbage, or flowery prose of the century after Shakespeare; in fact, other than a little vocabulary and usage not familiar to us, it's a very comfortable early 21st century read. I got an old copy accidentally, and glad I finally read it; this is my favorite of Defoe's work, so far. A fun story, well told, and I recommend it!
reviewed Moll Flanders on + 13 more book reviews
A little too dense for my tastes, but I see why it's considered a classic.
reviewed Moll Flanders on + 296 more book reviews
A wonderful movie was made about 20 years ago or so of this book. I would recommend both the book and the movie!


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