53 pages • 1 hour read
Daniel DefoeMoll Flanders
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1722A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.