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John Cleland

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Fanny Hill (Penguin Popular Classics) Paperback – January 1, 1994

by John Cleland (Author)

3.8 60 ratings

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"Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure", commonly known as "Fanny Hill", has been shrouded in mystery and controversy since John Cleland completed it in 1749. The Bishop of London called the work 'an open insult upon Religion and good manners' and James Boswell referred to it as 'a most licentious and inflaming book'. The story of a prostitute's rise to respectability, it has been recognized more recently as a unique combination of parody, sensual entertainment and a philosophical concept of sexuality borrowed from French libertine novels. Modern readers will appreciate it not only as an important contribution to revolutionary thought in the Age of Enlightenment, but also as a thoroughly entertaining and important work of erotic fiction, deserving of a place in the history of the English novel beside Richardson, Fielding and Smollett.

Print length

224 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Books Ltd
Publication date

January 1, 1994
Dimensions

4.37 x 0.31 x 7.13 inches
ISBN-10

0140620885
ISBN-13

978-0140620887
See all details

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books Ltd (January 1, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140620885
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140620887
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.37 x 0.31 x 7.13 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,213,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #37,642 in World Literature (Books)
- #42,704 in British & Irish Literature & Fiction
- #106,533 in Classic Literature & Fiction

Customer Reviews:
3.8 60 ratings

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3.8 out of 5

60 global ratings

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CD addict

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

My friend had wanted to read this for decades!!

Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2006

In this time of erotic fiction galore, where novels of sexual content line bookstore shelves, and purchasing one is as easy, common place, and unembarassing as picking up a bar of chocolate at a grocery store, the true significance of Fanny Hill may not be quite fully understood. The story documents a young girl's experiences following the untimely death of her parents, which leaves her in an adult situation at a tender age. Penniless and alone, she strives to locate a means of survival for one in her position, unexperienced in the world. Not surprisingly, and as the title proclaims, she becomes a woman of pleasure.

What is surprising, however, is the morality of the characters, how Cleland emphasizes their humanity and conscience, how he illustrates that their profession has no baring on their propensity for evil, provides no leniencey for a souless disposition. Cleland continuosly establishes this point throught the course of the novel, explaining, through Fanny, that courteseans and the like are regular people. That they work, eat, and play, just like everyone else. This is not necesssarly the main point of the novel, merely an important observation to remember with regards to the period the work was written. This perspective, in addition to the erotic material, must have clashed with the traditional, conservative beliefs of the time, been considered blasphemy. The author must have realized this, and knowing this fact while reading the material makes me have a bit more respect for the writer.

As for the rest, the memoir is privy to an extensive English vocabulary, and the choppy, comma-spliced sentences maintain a unique elegance in contrast with the regular style of uninform diction.

All in all, I found it a really stellar work, and picking it up I had pretty low expectations considering the basic story line, which serves as the framework for so many novels today. I actually wound up reading the entire work in one sitting, and finding it an enticing blend of romance and intrigue, action and realistic adventure, advancing the ideals of morality from a mature and logical standpoint.

18 people found this helpful

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Gail McNeil

Two Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2017

no good

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2007

I'd always been curious about this one, ever since the scene in the film The Impossible Years where the younger sister's eyes pop (along with her bubble gum bubble) as she reads it.

All I can say is, if you're looking for beautifully written erotica that stands up to the test of time (read: It'll turn on even us 21st-century, uncensored folks), this is for you. Enjoy!

One person found this helpful

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Seth T. Wadsworth-carr

Not the spanish edition

Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2009

for those who are looking for the spanish edition of fanny hill, look somewhere else. this is the unillustrated english version and is made with recycled paper.

on the positive side, if you want to help your environment and get your jollies reading one of the most well known erotic novels, i say go for this one. the price is probably one of the best you'll find.

One person found this helpful

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