The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders

Synopsis
Published in 1722, The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe follows Moll’s rise and repeated setbacks as she struggles to survive. Born in prison to a convict mother, she faces a life shaped by insecurity and the constant loss of stability. Seeking opportunities, Moll moves through relationships marked by marriages, deceptions, and reinvention, gradually learning new ways to endure when her circumstances worsen. Over time, her hopeful beginnings give way to more practiced schemes, as she becomes a skilled con artist and ultimately an accomplished thief. Her efforts are driven by a single aim: lasting prosperity and peace.