by John Cleland
First published 1748
Fanny Hill finds herself alone in London, forced into prostitution to survive. As she navigates the world of courtesans and brothels, Fanny discovers both the dangers and unexpected pleasures of her new life. She encounters a variety of clients and situations that test her resilience while she searches for genuine love and connection. Through her experiences, Fanny learns to use her wit and charm to climb from the lowest rungs of society toward respectability. Her story reveals the complex realities of eighteenth-century sexual commerce while exploring her own desires and moral awakening. Fanny must balance survival with her longing for authentic affection, ultimately seeking a path that will allow her to escape her circumstances without losing herself in the process.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, adult-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, fish-out-of-water, redemption
Setting: London
Period: 18th-century
240 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics
Content warnings: sexual-content