First published 1743
Jonathan Wild rules London's criminal underworld as the self-proclaimed "Thieftaker General." He orchestrates elaborate schemes, manipulating both thieves and victims while presenting himself as a public servant fighting crime. Wild builds his empire by organizing gangs to steal goods, then charging victims to recover their own property. He betrays his own accomplices when convenient and cultivates relationships with corrupt officials who enable his operations. As Wild's ambitions grow, so does his ruthlessness. He destroys anyone who threatens his power, including former allies and innocent bystanders. The deeper Wild sinks into corruption, the more he justifies his actions as examples of worldly success and "greatness." His criminal career becomes a mirror for the moral decay Fielding saw in 1740s British politics and society. Wild's rise and inevitable fall expose the thin line between criminality and respectability in a world where corruption flourishes at every level.
Genres: fiction, historical-fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, 19th-century
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: deception, downfall, power-struggle, rise-and-fall
Setting: London
Period: 1740s
352 pages · Paperback · Oxford University Press