A very enjoyable read from beginning to end. This continuous narrative (there are no chapter breaks) contains pace, energy, wit and wisdom. Beyond the 18th century prose, there is much in this novel that remains highly relevant for a modern reader. Although Moll is described as ‘twelve year a whore, five times a wife (whereof once) to her own brother, twelve year a thief, eight year a transported felon in Virginia, at last grown rich, lived honest and died a penitent’, the key takeaway is the opportunism, endurance and survival of the narrator, particularly in an era where women's actions were constrained. By definition, Moll has to be both ruthless and resourceful. Owing to her circumstances, the reader's sympathies almost certainly do reside with Moll. The genius of Defoe's narrative is in allowing Moll to relate her own (perhaps sometimes unreliable) account, to express guilt and regret where relevant. By closure — and against overwhelming odds — she achieves a peace of mind and worldly success. It may be too much to describe this outcome as poetic justice, but the character of Moll certainly remains an enduring and compelling one. The introduction to the OUP edition is worth reading too. 9 out of 10.
By Daniel Defoe