Oxford World's Classics: Moll Flanders

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This extraordinary novel by Daniel Defoe vividly portrays a woman's experience in the gritty realities of late seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England and America. Born in Newgate prison and seduced by her adoptive family, Moll navigates life using her wits, challenging the traditional view of women as mere victims. First published in 1722, it remains one of the earliest English novels, exploring themes of opportunism, endurance, and survival that resonate with contemporary readers. This edition features a critically edited text and an insightful introduction by Linda Bree, who discusses the novel's origins, its literary strengths and weaknesses, and the social and cultural issues it addresses. Bree's comprehensive notes clarify meanings, allusions, and references, while the book also includes a glossary, a note on monetary values, and maps of England, London, and the American colonies. For over a century, Oxford World's Classics has provided a wide range of global literature, ensuring each volume reflects a commitment to scholarly accuracy and includes valuable features such as expert introductions, extensive notes, and updated bibliographies for further exploration.