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Moll Flanders  By  cover art

Moll Flanders

By: Daniel Defoe
Narrated by: Virginia Leishman
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Editorial reviews

Moll Flanders was, according to the long title of this work, "twelve year a Whore, five time a Wife (whereof once to her own brother), twelve year a Thief, eight year a transported Felon in Virginia," etc. Virginia Leishman's rendering of this novel is virtually flawless; it's well modulated, with no mispronunciations, stumbles or pauses. Still, it must be said that she seems overly controlled, too flat, more suitable for Jane Austen's well-appointed sitting rooms than for Moll Flanders' rumpled sheets. Earthiness, sensuality, high drama in the storytelling are needed to breathe excitement into an exciting narrative.

Publisher's summary

Daniel Defoe’s novel is a delightful 18th century classic. Called “the truest realism in English literature” and “the tale of a hot, earthy wench,” it meets both expectations while also offering a remarkable portrayal of an ingenious mind. Moll is born in Newgate prison to a petty thief and is soon left at the mercy of whoever will take her in. From this unfavorable beginning, the lusty, resourceful Moll loves and bargains her way from rags to riches, from prostitution in the streets of London to prosperity on a Virginia plantation. Along the way, she offers a charmingly candid view of her life and times. His colorful characters like Robinson Crusoe earned Daniel Defoe instant popular acclaim. In Moll Flanders, he created a beautiful woman who still holds a unique place in British literature. Through Virginia Leishman’s sparkling narration, she steps from the pages full of exuberance and spontaneity.

Public Domain (P)1996 Recorded Books, LLC
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Erotica

What listeners say about Moll Flanders

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Excellent Narration of Quite and Odd Book

The best part of this book is the historical perspective of just how bawdy and irreverent a book written in 1722 could be. The narration is particularly good, often rising to an excellent performance (not just a reading). To a listener with a modern perspective there is little sensational, exciting or even very amusing about Moll Flanders. I had an occasional chuckle or sigh and I learned some things, but not very often. I am sure when this was written it was much more exciting than it now seems. I liked Robinson Crusoe and A Journal of the Plague Year quite a bit better than Moll Flanders. This is very dated, but is not at all badly written, and is historically interesting.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic that is timeless and almost poetry

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this book! It a rare account of women's trials in the late 17th century, but oddly those trials still exist today. Good versus evil is a theme throughout. This novel helps explain that evil has 2 categories; evil for neccesity and evil for evil's sake. It causes the reader to question if the first is really evil?

What was one of the most memorable moments of Moll Flanders?

Moll Flander's redemption and personal awareness of the choices that she's made while in Newgate.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene when Moll helps one of her husbands escape. Her love of men despite their ill treatment of her is dumbfounding.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The way this book was written made me feel as though I was listening to music. I hope they never change the language of the book in an effort to put it in modern english.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting book.

What did you love best about Moll Flanders?

The history.

What other book might you compare Moll Flanders to and why?

None.

What does Virginia Leishman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Only the time saving aspect of doing two things at once.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

Worth listening to.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not bad for a nearly 300 year old book

Although this book was written as a cautionary tail of how not to live your life, I thought Moll Flanders was an admirable heroine. Besides the fact that she popped out ten babies and never raised a single one of them.

I'm astounded at the age of this book. While it is very outdated, it isn't at the same time. What I mean by this is, while doctors today would never diagnose a high fever as love sickness, and we don't rely on horses as transportation, basic human nature has not changed. The characters express the same hopes and desires that we have. This book is timeless.

And I learned a few things by listening to this book. For instance, did you know that imported lace was banned in nearly all European countries? Lace was so valuable that it could be used as currency. So each country wanted to profit from local lace sales and not contribute to the wealth of other countries.

It was worth the read just for that little tidbit of knowledge that took me on an hour long internet search.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I liked the formal style but also the sidle humor. The narrator did a great job.

I found it difficult to keep track of the relationships and children she had. I found myself angry that she didn’t give up thievery when she dad put away enough $ to retire.

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