description Fanny Hill Overview
Fanny Hill, formally titled Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, is an erotic novel by the English writer John Cleland, first published in two installments in 1748 and 1749. Narrated by its title character as an account of her life and sexual experiences, it combines elements of the picaresque novel with an unusually explicit treatment of sexuality for its period. The book became a recurring subject of censorship and obscenity prosecutions in Britain and the United States.
help Fanny Hill FAQ
What is the full title of Fanny Hill?
The novel is formally titled Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, although it is commonly known as Fanny Hill. It was written by the English author John Cleland.
When was Fanny Hill published?
Fanny Hill appeared in two installments, in 1748 and 1749. Its early publication made it one of the best-known English erotic novels of the eighteenth century.
What kind of story is Fanny Hill?
The book is a first-person account in which its title character describes her movement through London and her sexual experiences. Its picaresque structure combines episodic travel, social encounters, and erotic scenes.
Why was Fanny Hill historically controversial?
The novel's explicit sexual content led to obscenity challenges and censorship in later periods. It is also studied as an important eighteenth-century work of English prose and erotic literature.
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