Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
RW's May & June read
Join us for Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
Our next book on The Reader and the Writer is the picaresque novel Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe.
and I are eager to dive into our May/June read, and we hope you’ll join us! Our first episode airs May 20th.Because Moll Flanders lacks chapter breaks, we highly encourage you to read the same edition we’re using—the Penguin Classics version, linked at the bottom of the page.
If you are wondering what kind of story we’re stepping into, the full title reveals just how wild this ride may be!
"The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, & during a Life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, & died a Penitent. Written from her own Memorandums."
~full title of Moll Flanders
Below, you’ll find a book description, suggestions for how to engage with the novel and us, our reading schedule, and helpful resources I explored before reading. Extra research isn’t necessary, but these links are great for those who enjoy deep dives.
About the Book (Courtesy of Goodreads):
Born and abandoned in Newgate Prison, Moll Flanders is forced to make her own way in life. She duly embarks on a career that includes husband-hunting, incest, bigamy, prostitution and pick-pocketing, until her crimes eventually catch up with her. One of the earliest and most vivid female narrators in the history of the English novel, Moll recounts her adventures with irresistible wit and candour—and enough guile that the reader is left uncertain whether she is ultimately a redeemed sinner or a successful opportunist.
Connections to War & Peace:
If you’re also reading War and Peace this year, keep an eye out for connections between the two books. Notice how each author explores themes of society, identity, and repentance.
The narrative styles of both works are quite different; however, are there ways they might still be in conversation with each other? Does Moll remind you of characters from War and Peace? If so, who and in what ways?
War and Peace tells the story of men and women in high society, while Moll Flanders focuses on the life of a single woman surviving in the margins, navigating poverty, crime, and imprisonment. Clearly different, and yet, maybe these two stories have more in common than we think. These are just a few ideas to keep in mind while you’re reading over the next six weeks.
Let’s Share the Journey!
Both Shari and I would love to hear your thoughts on Moll Flanders as we go along. Feel free to share insights, questions, or reactions as you read—it’s always more fun when we do it together! Let’s chat in the comments or join our chat thread on The Reader & the Writer Page.
~Rhea & Shari
Reading Schedule & Links
To support your reading journey, you'll find our six-week reading schedule below, along with helpful links that provide valuable background and explain key concepts covered in Moll Flanders. After much discussion, Shari and I decided it’s best to spend more time on this book than originally planned.
We’re hoping to slow down, read closely, and engage with you in real time. We’d love for you to flood the chat with your insights, comments, and questions!
Links that provide helpful information:
When I first began reading Moll Flanders, I quickly realized that some historical and contextual background was essential to engage more meaningfully with this text. Below are several resources that helped me create a stronger foundation. I hope you find them useful as well.
Daniel Defoe | merchant, author, and spy
Daniel Defoe’s Life | I highly recommend diving deep into Defoe’s life. Understanding his background provides valuable context for the era in which he wrote, as well as the novel’s setting and themes. Plus, he’s simply fascinating!
The Secret Agent | “In 1706 Daniel Defoe was cutting a dash in Edinburgh coffee houses, working undercover for the crown. His pioneering novels were profoundly shaped by his activities as a spy, argues John Kerrigan”—excerpt from the Guardian—March of 2008
Newgate Prison | “London’s Blackest Hole”
Inside London’s Worst Prison Ever | This short video provides historical background and a look at Newgate’s layout.
The Old Bailey + Newgate Prison | This walking tour offers historical context for both the prison and the Old Bailey (England and Wales’ central criminal court). Around the 7:38 mark, the guide tells the story of Amelia Dyer, a notorious Victorian-era baby farmer. While her crimes occurred long after the events of Moll Flanders, they still provide relevant insight for the story.
Moll King | Some speculate that Moll Flanders is loosely based upon this infamous criminal.
Picaresque novel | This is a genre characterized by a roguish protagonist navigating a corrupt society.
17th-century England | Timeline
Video lecture by Erik McCarthy | While it may not be the most riveting, it is certainly informative, and I found it helpful in understanding the story’s context. McCarthy provides brief biographical information about Defoe, discusses the novel as a literary form, and explores the emergence of the novel in the 18th century. He also suggests questions to consider while reading.
Get Your Copy of Moll Flanders:
Do you need a copy of the book? If you'll be reading along with us, we encourage you to purchase or check out the Penguin Classics edition of Moll Flanders. This is the version we are both using. Since the book has no chapter breaks, it will be especially helpful to follow along with the same edition.
Here are a couple of options
Audible (I have this audiobook read by Georgina Sutton.) I listened to quite a few of the options on Audible and I found this one to be my favorite. If you have an Audible account, this is not the free one. I did not care for the voice in the one created by Audible.)
If you liked Moll Flanders, you may like our episodes on David Copperfield or Everything Sad is Untrue.
I’m planning to reread Everything Sad is Untrue alongside Moll Flanders. Though these novels are vastly different, I think they have the potential to complement each other.
