Fanny Hill with illustrations Author:John Cleland John Cleland is said to have "misapplied considerable talents" in writing his scandalous 1749 novel, Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, or; Fanny Hill. Nevertheless, the book has near-constantly remained in print, even where declared criminal, till finally being recognized as a classic of 18th century literature. It's known to have sold for as much... more » as $40 for a new printing in 1863 -- several hundred dollars in today's money. Fanny Hill, age 15, is orphaned by a smallpox outbreak and forced to fend for herself. She narrowly escapes selling her virginity in a brothel after being tricked into taking a job there, and soon loses her beloved to the machinations of his wicked father. What, then, is left for Fanny to do? The text of this edition is copied from a famous French printing, and illustrated with several charming black-and-white illustrations.« less