Moll Flanders

Description

The full title being: 'The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders Who was born in Newgate, and during a life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Years a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her brother) Twelve Years a Thief, Eight Years a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest and died a Penitent'. It purports to be the true account of the life of Moll, daughter of a convict, detailing her exploits from birth until old age. When her mother is sent to the colonial United States, Moll is taken in by a foster mother. After becoming a servant at a house with two sons, her exploits begin as she is married off to one of the boys. Her life thereafter is a series of interactions with men, some of who she loves, some she doesn't - but all of which come about as she just tries to get through life. The novel is partially based on the life of a London criminal, Moll King, whom Defoe had met in Newgate prison.

№ 4 in 20 Classic Books You Must Read Before You Die.

Part of Anne Haight's List of Banned Books.

This book has 190 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1722.

Production notes: This ebook of Moll Flanders was published by Global Grey ebooks on the 21st February 2021. The artwork used for the cover is 'Gipsy Girl' by Frans Hals.