Moll Flanders (1722)

PB-2

Moll Flanders is a young woman without prospects during the early 1700s in England. The book was published in 1722. Early on she is offered two paths; she must choose which way to go. The path she chooses and the results thereof are the remainder of the story.

To say this book is about Prostitution is not quite accurate. The main character, "Moll," certainly goes that route, but I believe the book is more about survival in a time where there were very limited options for young, unattached women. Moll is given an option, but she sees that the other way holds an easier prospect for more gain. In fact, she is always on the lookout for what will bring gain to her. Having stood on the edge of the abyss of poverty, she wants to stay as far away from that as possible, whatever it takes. Her character is an extreme pragmatist, even when it comes to her children and spouses. Are they good for gain? I will love them, they are dear to me. Will they be a drain on me, or offer no gain? They are dead to me and I will be rid of them.

I enjoyed reading this. Daniel Defoe pulls no punches and writes in a straightforward way. You will not find flowery descriptions, no lengthy chapters about nature, architecture or other distractions from the plot. In fact, no chapters at all. Some of the conversations drove me to distraction, people talking all around a thing, but I believe social etiquette required that verbal play at that time. It reminded me of Jane Austen's novels in that way. Not in any other way. This was a good insight into the lives of those not so nice as the characters in Austen's novels in the 1700s. I probably won't read it again, but glad to have done so once. ( )

Novela picaresca, género iniciado en España con "El Lazarillo de Tormes", continúa la tendencia de protagonista femenina que había empezado con "La Pícara Justina", influenciada por personajes anteriores, como la Lozana andaluza. ( )

AG-3

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12549029