In the world of erotica the story of Fanny Hill is well known and much admired. It was written whilst Cleland was in debtor’s prison and was to become one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history. Our audio version is read for you by the acclaimed actress Frances Barber.
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"I always see this book at the bookstore but from the title I can conceive that it belongs to the erotic genre and therefore it does not suit my taste. But a friend of mine introduced me the overview of it and I liked it but still can't make me change my mind, But then my friend bought me one and I can't refuse but to read it and then that's where I got to liked it. It is indeed erotic but the way the author displayed his way of telling the story was the thing most classical books have, which is they all contain certain meanings beneath those words that will make the reader love the story till the end, which this story did to me."
— Gabriel (5 out of 5 stars)
" Raunchy, explicit material couched in the flowery language of the 18th century...a great book to read alone in bed. "
— Holly, 2/17/2014" My gosh! I read this book because its included in the 1001 must read books before you die and my gosh talaga! if your not into super lalim english then don't read this book! but if you're ok with it and you can handle torrid scenes then go! "
— Vani, 2/14/2014" This is by far the dirtiest book I have ever read. I should've been repulsed by it, but it was such great fun. "
— Nikki, 2/12/2014" Annoying from a feminist perspective, but really interesting. "
— Rachel, 2/10/2014" I read this strictly for research purposes "
— David, 2/9/2014" The older style of writing is beautiful. While this book was racy, it was so well-written you would have thought you were reading a Oliver Twist rather than some girl on girl action. "
— Judy, 2/2/2014" The most banned book of all time....had to see what it was all about. The story of a prostitute in the 1700s......I guess I see why back then it was shocking but overall the storyline was not that great. The plus side, it's a free kindle download. "
— Kitti, 1/29/2014" Mildly interesting but generally non-creative smut from the 1700s--and when I say smut I mean it. There's virtually no plot to this book, and it's very penis-centric... obviously written by a man. You might find it vaguely amusing. "
— Sarah, 1/18/2014" The dirtiest classic book I've ever read. "
— Brenda, 11/26/2013" Wow, didn't know how prostitution worked back then but now I do. Poor Fanny had to learn everything and I mean everything all because of an aunt that wanted to make money off get. Sad but true for the time. "
— Ashley, 8/31/2013" i thought this was going to be like moll flanders or roxana. um. no. this is straight-up 18th century porn. "
— Virginia, 7/14/2013" I read this many many years ago, and have made note to self- re-read! I read this as an inexperienced teen, and so thought it was pretty terrific at the time. Now I wonder.... "
— Michelle, 5/22/2013" 18th-century erotica for the masses. Or, as a review on the back of the book says, "Fanny's Memoirs combine literary grace with a disarming enthusiasm for an activity which is, after all, only human. What is more, she never uses a dirty word." "
— Miranda, 12/3/2012" Pornographic - not my cup of tea! "
— Philip, 9/29/2012" It was a fun reed; a male writer revealing the life and secrets of London-prostitutes. Of course cheap-bought prostitutes had a hard time but most prostitutes just loved having with various men anytime and anywhere they want. "
— Mie, 8/27/2012" well, it's pretty much what you'd expect. "
— Diane, 8/20/2012" Good. Not something I will read again but good enough for the beach. Sex. Sex. And some more sex. Pretty woman for a 17 year old who lives near London in the days of yesteryear. "
— Karen, 4/30/2012" Bought this for a class I didn't end up taking, just got around to reading it...um, turns out, this is basically porn. Guess I should have taken that class. "
— Alwa, 4/28/2012" My oh my. I knew this was considered a scandalous book at one time, but it was so old I expected it to be reasonably tame by today's standards. Not so. This book is very erotic and explicit. Not all 'classics' have to be boring it seems. LOL "
— Linda, 4/13/2012" Glorious and unashamed porn from the 1740s. Read it at your own risk. I loved it. "
— Kristina, 2/2/2012" PORN. Victorian porn. Yes. Dahahahaha. "
— Drea, 11/11/2011" I read this many many years ago, and have made note to self- re-read! I read this as an inexperienced teen, and so thought it was pretty terrific at the time. Now I wonder.... "
— Michelle, 3/9/2011" This book is worth reading just for its absurdity. "
— Lindsay, 12/5/2010" This was the book my mom had hidden in the bookshelf - got me pretty hot as a teen. It's been a long time since I've read it but I do remember liking several scenes and those were the ones that were my 'go-to' helpers when I was alone. "
— ~, 11/28/2010John Cleland (1709–1789) was an English writer who is best known for his erotic novel Fanny Hill: or, the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. An employee of the British East India Company, Cleland spent extended periods in Bombay, India, until recalled to England because of his father’s illness. With no financial support from his family, Cleland amassed enough debt to land in Fleet Prison, where he is believed to have composed Fanny Hill. His subsequent arrest following the publication of Fanny Hill prompted Cleland to withdraw the novel, and while it was not legally published for over a hundred years, it continued to sell well as a pirated work. Cleland never achieved professional or financial success with his writing.
Frances Barber, in addition to her outstanding narration, has appeared in Inspector Morse, The Ice House, Love in a Cold Climate, and Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced.