Fanny Hill

Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure

By: John Cleland

Narrated by: Veronika Hyks

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure was one of the most banned and censored books in the history of literature. John Cleland (a contrary man of letters, prone to boasting and getting into trouble with the law) wrote it while he was in Fleet debtor’s prison. First published in 1748 and withdrawn within a year, it was not legally republished until a hundred years later. Widely considered to be the first example of literary erotica and a stylistic tour de force, with its combination of charm, daring and love of pleasure.

The story is told by means of a series of uninhibitedly explicit letters from Fanny to an unknown friend, looking back over her colourful life and the characters she meets, as an innocent girl of 15 arriving in London. Now widely available at a computer near you, read by one of Britain’s finest.

Public Domain (P)2000 Aquarium Audio Books

No wonder this book was banned in Britain...

First of all... this book contains A LOT of very MATURE content that I would NOT suggest to ANYONE under the age of 18.

Now on to the actual review... I honestly must say I didn't know what exactly I was getting myself into when a friend of mine suggested I the book to me. It was a very graphic audiobook with very vivid descriptions to say the least. The actual content of the story itself was very blasé if you ask me. It was somewhat predictable in most places and you could definitely see where the book itself would end up. To use the term very loosely, this was a coming of age book, a young girl who (due to tragedy and a series of unfortunate situations) is forced to get herself involved into a very 'controversial' lifestyle and the way she maneuvers her way through it. As stated, the book to me is very predictable... that being said though the descriptions are impressive to say the least.

The narration was in effect underwhelming at best, could most definitely be much better than it was. The narrator sounds like an old woman rather than a young, naive girl. The character of course matured in the book but the narration did nothing, in my opinion, to enhance the overall quality of the experience.

All in all however, the book was pretty ok at best but not exception.

Fascinating and an amazing English language

What made the experience of listening to Fanny Hill the most enjoyable?

The use of English Language is well worth the listen. The story was a bit tedious, just lots of descriptive sex acts, one being like the next one, but so will written that I am in awe! Obviously written by a man

Would you be willing to try another book from John Cleland? Why or why not?

Yes. If it is written as the last, most definitely.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where she meets her beloved Charles

Any additional comments?

A must!

As amusing as I thought it may be, but rude too.

If you could sum up Fanny Hill in three words, what would they be?

We Miss Fun.

Any additional comments?

I had never read Fanny Hill (nor heard it until now) but knew off it. I knew of its reputation and history but on a whim decided to purchase and have a listen. The first thing I noted was how wound up we have become with a 'naughty story' a little bit of 'titillation' can be fun and Fanny Hill shows this. Why have we become so sour on the subject of titillation. Before TV and radio, at a time when people were more serious along came Fanny Hill and its like, shock, horror and giggles.

Now is that not fun?

A man wrote this book (shrug).

The characters are so poorly developed as to blunt any eroticism suggested by the plot. The authors style is best summarized as All Hail the Mighty Member/Tool/Machine/Weapon. Yay.

Not really erotica

Fanny Hill is probably the most well known native English erotica ever made.

Fanny is a girl forced into a life she didn't make, and does pretty well for herself.
The sex is not very explicit by todays standards

The only issue for me is that the writing is tough to slog through (very dated) and you do find yourself re-listening parts to figure out precisely what just happened.

Lancashire Lass

What made the experience of listening to Fanny Hill the most enjoyable?

Read print book in UK youth many years ago. Narrator's Lancs accent and skill really fleshed out this delightful revisit to Fanny. Ms. Hicks does a great dramatic and highly entertaining reading, she is the character Fanny BRAVO