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Moll Flanders
- Narrated by: Janet Suzman
- Length: 13 hrs
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Moll Flanders
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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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- philippe
- 14-12-22
Remarkable tale of 17th century quotidian life
Beguiling, wonderful, astounding, humorous, compelling story of a woman with at least 7 lives all lived so fully and truthfully told, surprisingly and mesmerisingly by a man.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-05-21
Good fun
The story of a woman who bravely overcame an addiction to wedding cake and went on to dedicate herself to finding lost things. Quite heart warming.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- G. Kilshaw
- 04-04-18
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DidiGogo
- 20-02-16
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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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sue
- 13-02-22
wonderfully narrated, kept me captivated!
Great narration, lovely to listen to, captivated from start to finish, would listen to again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- NGomperts
- 15-11-22
Excellent
Amazing for its time and still highly relevant . Janet Suzmann’s reading is bearings the writing off the page. Really enjoyed early classic so full of truths about the history and status of women everywhere
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Hugh M. Clarke
- 30-09-19
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Min
- 14-11-22
Brilliant!
Wittily written, brilliantly read and full of insights into 17th century life. I loved this book and am recommending it to everyone I talk to.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Amazon CustomerM .Cole-Elsholz
- 07-09-20
want to be bored ?, listen to this a
I found this boring,boring and e ven more boring,soverygood for a night's sleep at least
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mo Bass
- 11-09-22
Bawdy?
I found it a bit slow and the prose too convoluted. All the 'says' are distracting.
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