53 pages 1 hour read

Daniel Defoe

Moll Flanders

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1722

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe follows the titular character's journey through crime and multiple marriages in 17th-century England and North America as she strives to rise from extreme poverty to wealth and societal position. Born in Newgate prison, Moll navigates through theft, sex work, and complex relationships while using her wit and beauty to overcome numerous adversities, becoming a master thief, before facing repentance and eventual prosperity. The novel contains depictions of incest, references to death by suicide, and discrimination and slurs against Romani people.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Daniel Defoe's Moll Flanders receives praise for its complex portrayal of a resilient, morally ambivalent protagonist navigating 18th-century England. Critics commend Defoe’s engaging narrative and social commentary. However, the novel faces criticism for its lengthy descriptions and perceived lack of character depth, which some find detracts from the pace.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Moll Flanders?

Readers who enjoy Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe likely appreciate richly detailed narratives of survival and moral complexity. Fans of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding or Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray will be drawn to Defoe's exploration of 18th-century life, crime, and the resilience of a flawed but compelling protagonist.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

British Literature

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Relationships: Marriage

Topics

History: World