Moll Flanders

By: Daniel Defoe

Narrated by: Janet Suzman

Length: 13 hrs

Publisher's 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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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)

Very very enjoyable!

Not as gritty and unapologetic as say a Dickens or Orwell novel; however, that it is not a negative. Defoe's book is a fine example of realism. And the story flows well and is never boring. The narrator was perfect! A wonderful book and listening experience.

Great read wonderful narrator

I really enjoyed this book. If you have read Dafoe before you will like this as much as Robinson Crusoe though totally different. The story is written in a simple and straightforward manner yet with so much turns and twists in the events that makes it hard to take a break from the story (I'd say lay the book down if there were a book to lay). I had to read it in depth to make a book review for a subject at university and not only did it help me complete the read quicker but it was wonderfully enjoyable. The narrator is absolutely marvellous. Clear voice and dramatic tone make the book sound even better in her voice.

Engaging and entertaining.

Great performance. Interesting story, well told. Lots of details that look like real life written rather than a produce of imagination or research.

wow

amazing insights into a distant time and world. compare to Pepys. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx

I bought this on cassette.

The other performer had an English or British accent and just made it sound so nice for me. this performer, though good, just doesn't sound like the other performer.

In all points, wonderful!

I typically have an aversion to female narrators, but very much enjoyed this. She was perfect for the first-person account of Moll Flanders and even did a great job with the different voices of other characters. A satisfying listen.

Really wonderful

This book transported me into this time and place and most importantly the character, which I believe is the highest complement you can give an author.

Lively, entertaining window into the past

The narrator couldn’t have been a better fit. Looking at more books by both this author & Ms. Suzman.

Great

Janet Suzman has a terrific voice. Loved her reading.

Rousing adventures of a woman on her own in 17th century England.

Born in notorious Newgate prison, left to her own devices at an early age, Moll Flanders scrambles for survival in a society where a poor woman’s options were limited to marriage, prostitution, employment as a servant, or criminal enterprise. Ruling out a life of servitude, Moll resorts to the other options as available. Suspenseful, varied, psychologically astute, and prefiguring Dickens as a guide to the living conditions of the lower classes.
Superb performance by the voice actor.