Fanny Hill

Memories Of A Woman Of Pleasure

'Fanny Hill or Memories of a Woman of Pleasure', considered the first modern erotic novel, is also one of the great portraits of eighteenth-century Europe. In the form of letters and narrated in the first person by the young Fanny Hill, the book surprises by the sensual prose of Cleland and by the style and elegance that the author employs when counting the adventures of sexual initiation of a young woman - not so innocent like that - that, orphan at the age of fifteen, goes to London to try and become a courtesan. Before Fanny's virginity is put up for sale by a pimp, she falls in love with Charles, with whom she runs away. They live together, but, unexpectedly, he must leave the city. Fanny then becomes an insecure girl, the courtesan of many lovers. At this point, the novel becomes innovative, since Fanny, in addition to showing no regret for her actions, describes her adventures explicitly, giving the play an ode character to sexual pleasure.