Published in 1751, John Cleland's second novel (after the notorious Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure) is a witty and complex portrait of aristocratic British society in the mid-eighteenth century. Its young protagonist, Sir William Delamore, meets, falls in love with, and pursues the mysterious heiress Lydia. Rather than a conventional romance, however, the novel is an acerbic social satire, and Sir William an unreliable narrator and incomplete hero. In its experiments with narrative form and its sophisticated examination of masculine identity, Memoirs of a Coxcomb is an important marker in the development of the eighteenth-century novel. This Broadview edition includes a critical introduction that places Memoirs in the context of Cleland's life and literary career. Also included is a broad selection of appendices, including Tobias Smollett's review of the novel, selections from Cleland's criticism, three texts by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and contemporary documents on masculinity (particularly the figures of the coxcomb and the fop) and prostitution.
Memoirs of a Coxcomb
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Hal Gladfelder has done all those interested in eighteenth-century literature, and in the history of sexuality and gender, a great service with this unprecedented scholarly edition of Memoirs of a Coxcomb. The elegant critical introduction, judicious textual notes, and well-chosen appendices—both useful and diverting—make this an invaluable text." (Ann Louise Kibbie )
"This is an excellent edition of Cleland's intriguing Memoirs of a Coxcomb, a novel that offers a sort of masculine version of his more famous Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. This book will add a new dimension to discussions of the novel, eighteenth-century culture, masculinity, and gender." (Laura Rosenthal )
"This is an excellent edition of Cleland's intriguing Memoirs of a Coxcomb, a novel that offers a sort of masculine version of his more famous Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. This book will add a new dimension to discussions of the novel, eighteenth-century culture, masculinity, and gender." (Laura Rosenthal )
From the Publisher
"Hal Gladfelder has done all those interested in eighteenth-century literature, and in the history of sexuality and gender, a great service with this unprecedented scholarly edition of Memoirs of a Coxcomb. The elegant critical introduction, judicious textual notes, and well-chosen appendices—both useful and diverting—make this an invaluable text." - Ann Louise Kibbie, Bowdoin College
"This is an excellent edition of Cleland's intriguing Memoirs of a Coxcomb, a novel that offers a sort of masculine version of his more famous Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. This book will add a new dimension to discussions of the novel, eighteenth-century culture, masculinity, and gender." - Laura Rosenthal, University of Maryland
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Misbehavior, eighteenth-century style,
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This review is from: Memoirs of a Coxcomb (Broadview Edition) (Paperback)
John Cleland is best know for his scandalous first novel, Memoirs of Fanny Hill, published in 1749 as Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. This, his second novel (1751), is less well known.There's a similarity of narrative structure. Fanny Hill, of humble origin, falls into licentious behavior - and ultimately reforms. In Memoirs of a Coxcomb, young and rich Sir William Delamore indulges his "warm constitution" with numerous women - and ultimately reforms. The admirable introduction explores the power struggles between men and women in this novel and is quite informative. But not being a scholar, I read the story less critically, perhaps more like an eighteenth-century reader. I relished the social satire. For example, Sir William is quite entertaining as he describes the ritual among well-bred women of incessantly "visiting" each other while hoping to find no one "at home." His lively digressions on dissipated young lords, pompous political bores and the dullness of country life are equally amusing. I even enjoyed Sir William's unrealistic romantic obsession with the pure young woman he loved and lost without ever knowing her. I have to confess I liked Sir William personally, despite his youthful absurdities, his lustful behavior and his vanity. After all, he was affectionate to his old aunt, he never indulged in gambling or drunkenness, and he avoided sleeping with prostitutes, considering them "unhappy victims of indigence." Then there's the fun of Cleland's quaint prose. He describes erotic adventures in euphemistic metaphors - a nice change from the X-rated language in present-day film and fiction. The moral aim of fiction was a great subject with eighteenth-century writers. In the interest of condemning human folly, an author could describe it in fascinating detail. Cleland's novel is an excellent example of this curious way of teaching young people a lesson.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not very well known, but pretty interesting!,
This review is from: Memoirs of a Coxcomb (Kindle Edition)
Though not really Victorian this work has a definite place in English literature besides being highly entertaining. It is the suppressed sequel to the famous 'Fanny Hill', only this time the stories hero is male and must give ladies what they want...The author knew the social circles he describes well and this book can be seen as an accurate depiction of upper class England in the 18th century.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Literature,
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This review is from: Memoirs of a Coxcomb (Paperback)
Though not really Victorian this work has a definite place in English literature besides being highly entertaining. It is the suppressed sequel to the famous 'Fanny Hill', only this time the stories hero is male and must give ladies what they want...The author knew the social circles he describes well and this book can be seen as an accurate depiction of upper class England in the 18th century. Also see the list 'Victorian Erotica'.
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