Fanny Hill

Summary

Fanny Hill, or Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, is an erotic novel by John Cleland, first published in 1748. The story is narrated through a series of letters written by Frances "Fanny" Hill, a young woman who recounts her tumultuous journey from innocence to sexual awakening in 18th-century London. After the death of her parents, Fanny, originally from a small village near Liverpool, is persuaded by a family friend to seek employment in London.

However, upon arrival, she is abandoned and soon finds herself working as a maid for Mrs. Brown, who runs a brothel. Fanny's naivety leads her into a world filled with sexual exploits and complex relationships. She initially resists becoming a prostitute but is drawn into various encounters that awaken her desires.Throughout the novel, Fanny experiences love and betrayal, particularly with a young nobleman named Charles, who becomes her lover. Their relationship is complicated when Charles is sent away, prompting Fanny to navigate life as a kept woman and later as a full-fledged prostitute to survive. The narrative explores themes of female sexuality, societal hypocrisy, and the quest for genuine connection amidst a backdrop of eroticism.