-
Your next favorite book
is waiting.
by Daniel Defoe
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders who was born in Newgate, and during a life of continued 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, lived honest and died a penitent (commonly known simply as Moll Flanders) is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722.
It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age.
It is usually assumed that the novel was written by Daniel Defoe, and his name is commonly given as the author in modern printings of the novel. However, the original printing did not have an author, as it was an apparent autobiography. The attribution of Moll Flanders to Defoe was made by bookseller Francis Noble in 1770, after Defoe's death in 1731.
The novel is based partially on the life of Moll King, a London criminal whom Defoe met while visiting Newgate Prison.
Media reviews not yet available.
This information about The Fortunes and Misfortunes of The Famous Moll Flanders, & c. was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Daniel Defoe (c.1660-1731), one of the most famous writers in English literature, was born in London, the son of James Foe, a butcher. It was Daniel who changed his name to De Foe or Defoe in about 1705. He was interested in politics and opposed King James II. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and William III was on the throne, Defoe became one of his personal friends. He became a writer for the government and a satircal writer on various social issues of the time. He turned to full time writing after hearing the inspirational story of a sailor who was rescued after living alone on a desert island in the Pacific, the result being his first novel Robinson Crusoe,. Several other adventure stories followed, including Moll Flanders.
If you liked The Fortunes and Misfortunes of The Famous Moll Flanders, & c., try these:
by Tan Twan Eng
Published 2024
From the bestselling author of The Garden of Evening Mists, a spellbinding novel about love and betrayal, colonialism and revolution, storytelling and redemption.
by Zadie Smith
Published 2024
From acclaimed and bestselling novelist Zadie Smith, a kaleidoscopic work of historical fiction set against the legal trial that divided Victorian England, about who gets to tell their story—and who gets to be believed
by Alan Brennert
Published 2020
The highly anticipated sequel to Alan Brennert's acclaimed book club favorite, and national bestseller, Moloka'i
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
