50 pages 1 hour read

John Cleland

Fanny Hill

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1748

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Fanny Hill: or, The Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure by John Cleland follows Fanny, a young woman who, after losing her parents, moves to London, where she is tricked into working at a brothel. She falls in love with Charles, but circumstances force her into various sexual liaisons for survival. Her life is filled with a series of relationships and encounters until she finally reunites with Charles. The novel depicts explicit sexual content and situations involving non-consensual acts.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

John Cleland's Fanny Hill is a provocative exploration of 18th-century eroticism, praised for its candid portrayal of sexual awakening and its rich, descriptive prose. However, it faces criticism for being overly explicit and sensational. Readers appreciate its historical significance but caution that it may not appeal to those sensitive to graphic content.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fanny Hill?

Readers who enjoy erotic literature with historical and literary significance will appreciate Fanny Hill by John Cleland. Similar to enthusiasts of Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence and Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin, these readers savor explicit narratives framed within classic prose and social commentary.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Historical Fiction

Romance

Topics

Love / Sexuality

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Identity: Sexuality

Life/Time: Coming of Age