Cover image for

Fanny Hill

Subtitle Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure
Author John Cleland
Categories Sexuality, Fiction, Satire, Banned Books, Audiobook
Language English
Published 1749
Notes

Written while Cleland was in debtor's prison, Fanny Hill is considered the first 'erotic' novel in English.

Approx. 84,264 words.

Excerpt

o my inn, where, calling herself for my box, it was, I being present, delivered without the least scruple or explanation as to where I was going.

This being over, she bid the coachman drive to a shop in St. Paul's Churchyard, where she bought a pair of gloves, which she gave me, and thence renewed her directions to the coachman to drive to her house in *** street, who accordingly landed us at her door, after I had been cheer'd up and entertain'd by the way with the most plausible flams, without one syllable from which I could conclude anything but that I was, by the greatest good luck, fallen into the hands of the kindest mistress, not to say friend, that the varsal world could afford; and accordingly I enter'd her doors with most compleat confidence and exultation, promising myself that, as soon as I should be a little settled, I would acquaint Esther Davis with my rare good fortune.

You may be sure the good opinion of my place was not lessen'd by the appearance of a very handsome back parlour,

ReviewsAdd a review for this title.

Average Rating:

2008.04.15
David

Brilliant. Sensitively and well written. There is a word used that will offend some. If you can get over that, here is a book that is well worth reading.

2008.04.14
Pretty in pink

This is the most disgusting book that I have ever read! It focuses on sex! I do not think it is makes sense. I agree with the Church of England when it was banned. Women should be respected in every sense. Not just for object of sensuality!

This book should also be banned in this website!

2006.10.01
Rob Pealing

This is fun to read. The beginning makes one realise that western social systems do have some merits, though the heroine despite being forced into prostitution by the death of her parents, seems to enjoy it after a short time. The ending seems weak, as if Clelland was in a hurry to get it finished. (Maybe his time in jail was almost finished)

2004.09.25
Wikipedia

Written in 1749 while Cleland was in debtor's prison in London, it is considered the first "erotic" novel and its publication caused a furor. Immediately upon its release, the Church of England asked the British Secretary of State to "stop the progress of this vile Book, which is an open insult upon Religion and good manners." As a result, Cleland was arrested and charged with "corrupting the King's subjects."

Nonetheless, copies of the book were sold "underground," and the book eventually made its way to the United States where, in 1821, it was banned for obscenity.

In 1963, G. B. Putnam published the book under the title John Cleland's Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure which also was immediately banned for obscenity. The publisher challenged the ban in court.

In a landmark decision in 1966, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Memoirs v. Massachusetts that the banned novel did not meet the Roth standard for obscenity.