MOLL FLANDERS

Defoe's tale of a tawdry, wayward, and criminal little wench known in some circles as Moll Flanders rolls out of the lips of the talented Jan Francis as vividly and luridly as any tabloid confessional of the modern day. Francis unhesitatingly unfolds Moll's progressively more sinful lifestyle with assurance and contrition, spiking conscience with a pleasant undertone of illicit pleasure. Listeners will also enjoy a colorful vision of life in days past--a simpler time of stricter morals and a more stringent social code. While Moll unflinchingly exposes her sins, both large and small, we hear her conscience grow increasingly strong as she ages in this fine performance by Francis. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]