Moll Flanders: Classics Review

[@yuliankaradzhov]

The book is nothing more than a reflection of 17-18th century British society and daily life. Moll was stunningly beautiful and she realized she could make money off that by marrying wealthy men. Furthermore, men chose who to marry, at least most of the time, and if a woman refused to marry a man, he would make sure no one ever married her. People back then were thirsty for wealth and Moll was no different. Keeping all of this in mind as well as the fact that all offers were made by rich men, she had no reason not to marry them. It is also key to remember that this was her journal in a way. Moll was, as you stated, a whore and a thief - these types of people typically do not put much effort into questioning their daily activities and often come up with different excuses. Molly's excuse is the bogus perception that the men she married were "amiable".

[@Manormouse-04]

I loved this book. It is far more of an indictment of the British class system, than it is of her. Once she obtained the means to be a virtuous woman, she became the virtuous woman. Now, if you want a book with no redeemable characters, I would give you Wuthering Heights. There is not one good person portrayed in that book, with the one possible exception of Catherine's father.

[@gulkucuk7696]

correct me if im wrong, you think even catherine is a bad person?

[@hsiehkanusea]

No doubt. Class system, economics, and I wonder if some protestant (redemption) pathos/ethos?

[@rogerpropes7129]

It's a great book. It is a piece of history and the original prototype of a novel.

[@meghanthestorygirl4581]

That's too bad Defoe didn't give Moll Flanders more character complexity. It could have been an interesting story with a conflicted heroine.

[@anafernandez7237]

I do agree with you regarding the extension of the book and the fact that sometimes you do not understand her and even loathe her, but I got a very different impression of the novel. First of all, I truly appreciate Defoe for writing about and as if she was a woman. Back in the day, under the femme covert regime, women are less than second class people, they really didn´t have many chances, specially if, as Moll were born in less than precarious conditions. I think that, above all, Moll is a woman whose wish is to be an independent, financially secured woman (isn´t this what we all want?) To me, although of course I do not like every single decision she made, I think this is a tale of survival under very difficult circumstances. Greetings from Spain!

[@georgelyons1440]

One thing I would point out here is that Moll has a propensity to live on her own terms and for herself rather than go into service which is a poor mode of existence. She seeks marriage but at that this was really the only method of social mobility. I never actually thought of Moll as evil but rather forced into the situations that she found herself. I do agree that the pick pockets scenes are probably a tad too long. But if anyone reads this, I would say to give it a go even though I full respect this review.

[@melvinchew1456]

I agree with you. She was brought up in an environment that calls for thievery as a means of survival. Even marrying the draper or her half-brother are means to an end she sees fit in her situation. On this end, she lives on her own terms indeed for practical survival. The lack of emotional style in the writing could also perhaps support this pragmatism so apparent in the novel.

[@shawneevee7490]

It’s a difficult read but it’s important to note the historical significance. Women in the 17th century had very few options to survive on their own. Theft was considered the utmost evil and promiscuity was reprehensible, especially women. Families were often separated and widows often had to re-home their children since they couldn’t take care of them. Without social security infrastructure people truly did have to fend for themselves. There’s so much to learn from this book please don’t write it off so quickly.

[@angelaluz405]

Thank heavens someone else hated this! It was AWFUL for me. I thought it would never end. Moll's turn around at the end felt like too little too late. I actually gave it one star, I think. I just found the reading experience that miserable. It may be partly that Defoe just isn't for me. I read Robinson Crusoe for the first time last year and didn't care much for it either. I actually found it rather dull which shouldn't happen with an adventure book. Defoe is another author that I have broken up with on the strength of my reaction to these two books. I don't think I could bring myself to read any of his other work. It's just not for me.

[@nicoleackerman205]

I did not like it because it was like the author got bored with what he was writing, and then dropped story plots without finishing them, and went on to a whole new plot without tieing up the lose ends.

[@kucukmuratreisiv9258]

Hello ma’am! I couldn’t read names of books in shelfs, could you recommend enjoyable novels like Robinson Crusoe?

[@jennyjenny3531]

It sounds like the rating of this book might be best done months after reading it, for some mental space from the actual reading experience. I've found in the past my rating for a books I've hated has gone up over time, because it's come to mind often, which is a sign of a book's power. Totally different kind of book, but I'm feeling similarly frustrated with Gaudy Night. Many absolutely love it but I'm hating it with a passion. Finally put it aside 2/3 of the way through a few weeks ago. I shudder whenever I look at it, but also can't help but think of it often. Oh, the books we hate!

[@LuminousLibro]

Jenny Jenny That is so true! There are many books that I didn’t enjoy, but the writing was so powerful that the story has stayed with me for years. However, I don’t think Moll Flanders will be one of those. Time will tell.

[@AlmightyAtlas]

Well. This book is obligatory for me to read in Novel course. I hated it from the start TOO. Thank you for the summary and details. Keep the good work up ✨

[@umitkaradag9916]

Yarın Novel vizem var :(

[@frizzyrascal1493]

Just bought this book for a few pounds, I love morally reprehensible characters and it’s on my reading list for next year.

[@rd3668]

I only stumbled upon this review; I had no a priori agenda. Let me begin by stating that this KZbinr's focus on charity, mentioned at the beginning of her review, is noteworthy, admirable, and should be commended. But in the spirit of free (and civil) speech, I'll add a brief rejoinder. I only watched this review to the end thinking that it must be some sort of parody. Cutting a hundred pages from the middle of a classic work? Not liking the main character, despite Defoe's use of the classical aesthetic that a work's objective should be "to please and instruct" (the KZbinr admits that Moll eventually "comes around" but that she just didn't like her by that point, due to her deplorable actions). Defoe himself in the book's preface takes pains to note the work's moral objective, consistent with this aesthetic (Moll ultimately repents of her ways), and that it should be read by "those who know how to read it, and how to make the good uses of it." No chapter breaks? No motive? Bad writing style? Moll Flanders was immediately popular on its publication, especially with "commoners," and went through multiple editions from the start. It was groundbreaking. It is part of the Western canon. It is viewed favorably by modern-day feminist critics for Moll's iconoclastic behavior. In addition to its numerous literary and historical importances, I'll step outside of that framework and paraphrase Nassim Taleb: things that have been around a long time are likely to stay around for a long time, precisely because of their importance. This KZbinr is entitled to her opinions; but I (respectfully) contend that Moll Flanders is a classic for multiple reasons, and should therefore be exempt from an individualistic, ahistorical, "feel-good" lens.

[@HiverDesordenado]

Thank you. Someone despising the first novel ever in the history of literature because it doesn’t have chapters is hilarious. I like the channel too tho, it feels human, which is something I value in these days, with the rise of AI. I loved the book btw, I don’t get why you should want to be friends with a protagonist in order to enjoy their story.

[@lovelyrai7392]

This is also psycological aspect that a lady when she is pregnant what ever mental state she has or whatever she does in her life it comes to her child.....when Molls mother was pregnant she does crime nd was convict...so this is also the result that in whole life she(Moll) has the same temperament nd goes on doing....nd one more thing that this novel is mere reflection of 17th nd 18th centuries social mileu....how the only way to be rich nd a gentlewomen for a poor who dont hv family nor financial background is to marry a rich man...nd thus she does in whole novel..

[@لقاءسعيدفاضل-ه9ص]

Away from the novel , but how lovely you are😍 thanks for beautiful explanation.

[@sandranascimento4884]

It was on my list for this year, but after your comment I will definitely chance it.

[@scottnvenue1647]

Kailey, I have not read Moll Flanders, so I can't comment authoritatively, but is it possible this is a comedy? Sometimes, when I read a character that is over the top, it is often meant to be humorous. Would it be any better if it was a comedy?

[@LuminousLibro]

I didn't find many comedic elements in it. It's more of a morality tale, a warning to others about the dangers of sin.

[@scottnvenue1647]

I took a look on the internet. Yep. It's not a comedy. Apparently, Dafoe based this on an actual living woman.

[@rumasingh7983]

when you said you hated the book, I loved you for that 😂.

[@jonathankaley9220]

My name is Jonathan Kaley and I am from Bénin Republic, west Africa. Nice to follow you on KZbin. 🤝

[@KenziBabenzi]

I just got done watching the movie, and I literally cried..so maybe the movie is better...❤ she had such a tough life is what the movie showed and she really tried to do the right thing, but always somehow got put in bad situations and yes made some bad decisions..in the movie there is a madame who is way worse and it makes you think....like that woman is horrible and her name was miss allworthy.. I think the book is a Christian inspired book showing that even the worst of us are "all worthy" of grace... bc it's not something you can earn so were not worthy of that grace but because of God's love through Jesus we are all worthy in the Father's eyes

[@Alex_basha]

Thx..i have an exam about this tomorrow and i feel awful i hate this

[@LuminousLibro]

Good luck with your exam!

[@Alex_basha]

@@LuminousLibro thanks😍😘

[@maideb4671]

I felt depressed after i watched this video 😄 i have to read it because i have an exam in my university. Omg i should read the novel before i watch the video and read all this comments 😋

[@theatulchoudhary]

Very Insightful, I'm totally impressed the way you explained and just wanna say that You just nailed it 🔥

[@julietterontani6951]

I hated it soooooooo much and i'm so happy i'm not the only one ! I was forced to read this book for my course otherwise I would have never finished it ! Great review, thank you :)

[@LuminousLibro]

I'm getting that reaction from a lot of people. Haha! Everyone hates this book. Why is it considered a classic?!

[@Railroader_KS]

Great review. Subscribed. :)

[@melihism]

Thank god some honest criticism!

[@ROXCANADA2023]

honey who are you to comment on a classic novel like this, you know nothing sorry to say, !! I have studied literature for years and sorry to say there is more than a reason why this book is one of the best classics.

[@LuminousLibro]

It IS possible to understand classic literature and even appreciate the history and the genius of the writing, but not personally enjoy reading it.

[@leeleecassidy7175]

It's a fantastic book and Moll is a symbol of the individual triumphing over adversity. However, in our collectivist moral-preaching society, being an individual and taking your life into your own hands is (and has been) often looked down upon.

[@readerturnedwriter]

I have never heard of this classic, but it sounds like that's a good thing hahaha I think I would hate her too. Great review!

[@mollietenpenny4093]

It sounds like Moll Flanders does not even deserve the name Mollie!😉 One of the worst books I ever read (or in this case listened to) was 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz. It was so awful in fact that I wrote a long report on how badly written it was while giving two good examples on how a story should be written. The good examples I used in the report were the Oath by Frank Peretti and Dracula by Brom Stoker.

[@Alex_basha]

I'd rate it 1.5stars

[@stanleyguarnelo1101]

Stranger In A Strange Land started out so good as a sci fi political mystery but then it turned into story of a religion based on sex. Very Weird.

[@jonnyfromfar1130]

ok im surprised that you havent discussed what it was like to read a book from the fpv of a female written by a man... Did he manage to articulate the subjective life experience of a woman unfolding through her existence? Im surprised youhavent touched on that.

[@wbiro]

Wooooo you really got the character wrong... missing the defining moments in her life (just as Hollywood did, where they created lewd hack jobs of her), and you missed the critical observations on society and human nature and government that the author had to share, and the fascinating window into the past that it now offers. I don't know where your head was, but it wasn't in the right places...

[@dejablu]

in this case ..the movie is better lol

[@jacobwatson9027]

Relax babes moll flanders is not real