3 Review(s)

A tour-de-force of writing by Daniel Defoe, this extraordinary novel tells the vivid and racy tale of a woman's experience in the seamy side of life in late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England and America. Born in Newgate prison, and seduced in the home of her adoptive family, Moll learns to live off her wits, defying the traditional depiction of women as helpless victims. First published in 1722, and one of the earliest novels in the English language, its account of opportunism, endurance, and survival speaks as strongly to us today as it did to its original readers. This new edition offers a critically edited text and a wide-ranging introduction by Linda Bree, who sheds light on the circumstances out of which the novel grew, its strengths and weaknesses as fiction, and the social and cultural issues examined in the novel. In addition, her comprehensive notes clarify meanings, allusions, and other references. Finally, the book includes a glossary, a note on money, and maps of England, London, and the American colonies. Salient Features A key work in the development of the novel, this new edition offers a critically edited text. The introduction looks at the circumstances out of which the novel grew, its strengths and weaknesses as fiction, its reception and influence and the social and cultural issues examined in the novel, including the position of women, the role of religion and providence, and the questionable relationship between crime and its punishments. Comprehensive notes clarify meanings, allustions, and other references, and note changes between the later editions of the text. Includes a glossary, and a note on money. Maps of England, London, and the American colonies. Up-to-date bibliography. New chronology of the author.