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Moll Flanders cover art

Moll Flanders

By: Daniel Defoe
Narrated by: Janet Suzman
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

In this satirical faux autobiography, Moll Flanders, abandoned at birth, sets her rebellious heart on a life of independence in late 17th-century England. A strong-willed woman, she is determined to make a better life for herself, no matter what it takes: thievery, prostitution, seductions, marriages, or illicit liaisons. Born to a convicted felon in Newgate prison Moll learns to live off her wits, refusing to be a helpless victim and defying most traditional depictions of women of the era.

Though first published in 1722, Moll's account of her endurance and survival still strongly resonates with today's audience just as much as it did to its original readers.

Moll Flanders was one of the first social novels to be published in English and draws heavily on Defoe's experience of the social conditions that were prevalent in the London of the late 17th century.

Defoe was no stranger to misfortune as in one form or another, it pursued him continually. He wrote of himself: 'No man has tasted differing fortunes more. And 13 times I have been rich and poor.'

It wasn't until the age of 59 that Defoe began to write the first of his novels and other fictional writings that resulted in him being called the father of the English novel. His works are still loved today due to his remarkable insight into human nature.

Narrator Biography

Janet Suzman has received The Evening Standard Award for both Masha in Three Sisters, and Hester in Hello And Goodbye, as well as Academy Award and Golden Globe Nominations for her Czarina in Nicholas And Alexandra. Her Hedda Gabler was chosen as the BBC's 50th Anniversary Classic Drama Repeat. With such awards and nominations it is hardly surprising that she has a huge classical repertoire and background and brings unique authority to a read. Her experience includes LAMDA and frequent periods with the RSC. More recently she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in The Queen's 2011 Birthday Honours list, for her services to drama. Janet's voice work includes innumerable documentaries such as Hitler Youth, Hiroshima, Cleopatra, Marco Polo and The Windsors, promos for the BBC, and corporates for NKFP. She has also voiced the Ostrich in the gorgeous animation series Tinga Tinga Tales, and narrated two of Sally Gardner's books, The Silver Blade and The Red Necklace.

(P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's still fresh, centuries on.... All the dreadful things that befall her and she just picks herself up, dusts herself down, rearranges her cleavage and rampages off again." (Freya North, Daily Mail)

What listeners say about Moll Flanders

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A 5⭐️read

This book kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Beautifully read in keeping with the times. May seem a little wordy but for me added to the atmosphere. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys period literature.

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5 people found this helpful

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Brilliantly read by Janet Suzman

Moll Flanders, the original wayward woman, brought vividly to life. Love Janet Suzman's gravelly voice - perfect!

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Well read but Defoe...

It was very well read even though Defoe is certainly a struggle to get through.

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved it!

An interesting read about a promiscuous young woman’s journey into adults hood and the marriages she subjects herself to in order to improve her social standing.
Janet Suzman’s voice encapsulates her character well. I recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

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Superb

An extraordinary balancing act between salaciousness and sanctimony. Defoe's shrewd intellect describes tawdry and grim events and interactions perfectly lucidly and convincingly, and he shows an almost alarming grasp of the desperate, the criminal and the manipulative mind. He doesn't bother with fine writing - he is the master of never wasting a word and making every word count. Janet Suzman is superb as Moll, truly amazing, picking up every ambiguity and hint of ambivalence.

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Classic yarn brought to life by excellent narrator

Loved this book more than I expected. I had read this book so many years ago that I could not even recall the whole story, perhaps I never finished the book all those years ago. Janet Suzman reads this so well and with such character and voice that brings the story alive. For me this is a fine example of how a great narration by the right narrator can make or break a story. In this case make the story. Daniel Defoe naturally wrote according to the style of the time and the story can be rather meandering and repetitive at times. However, Janet Suzman's way of narrating, her voice, her accent, both real and contrived, added enormously to my enjoyment of this audio book. I had this book via the plus catalogue as part of my audible membership, which is a great benefit. I will now explore some more narration by Janet Suzman as I enjoyed her narration so much. A pleasant voice easy on the ear and without any of the high pitch squeak which we often find with female narrators.

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Flawed Morality Tale

Having spent a life in crime, the heroine of the tale makes a fortune and, in her seventies, decides to pursue a life repentance, but not not one of reparation nor of restoration. Much of the story is repetitive and at times, tedious. It is difficult to feel sympathetic to a character who, while occasionally open to feeling; spends most of her time in selfish calculation. Had it not been for Janet Suzman’s expressive reading, I’d have given up on this book.

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Excellent glimpse into the grubbier side of 16th century England

A great performance by Janet Suzman. Very accessible language despite the year that it was written, and a masterful way of dealing discreetly with the seamier side of the tale.

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Very interesting women story.

It was a very interesting story about a woman who lived in 1600s. It tells so much about living conditions, constrains, economical and cultural problems effecting women. It was very interesting, very enlightening and at the same time very entertaining. Highly recommend it.

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bit of a slog

on parts this book reminded me alm9st of a l7st e.g slept with this one, conned this one etc etc. Sorry famous as this book is it's not for me

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