John Cleland was an English novelist best known for his controversial erotic novel Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. His work marked a significant moment in literary openness and was influential in 18th-century fiction.
If you enjoy reading books by John Cleland then you might also like the following authors:
Daniel Defoe is known for realistic storytelling and vivid descriptions of personal adventures. His characters often experience moral dilemmas, navigating through challenging social and economic situations.
Readers interested in John Cleland's frank portrayal of life's pleasures and hardships might appreciate Defoe's Moll Flanders. The novel follows a resourceful woman who uses charm and wit to survive poverty, crime, and love affairs in 18th century England.
Abbé Prévost explores passionate romance, human desire, and moral complexities in elegant but straightforward prose. Like Cleland, he examines the consequences of indulging desires against conventional morality and society's expectations.
His novel Manon Lescaut tells the story of young lovers caught between social obligations and passionate attraction, focusing on love's pleasures, struggles, and tragedies.
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos specializes in sharp insights into human relationships, power dynamics, and manipulation. With psychological depth, he reveals the hidden passions hidden behind polite society.
If you appreciate Cleland's direct portrayal of human relationships and seductive intrigues, you might enjoy Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses, a novel composed of letters exposing aristocratic figures who manipulate desire and reputation to achieve their cynical ends.
Marquis de Sade explores human nature through provocative and controversial stories about unchecked desire, power, and freedom. His works push moral boundaries, questioning conventional beliefs and society's rules.
Those attracted to Cleland's explicit depiction of sexuality and desire might find interest in Sade's Justine, a daring novel about a young woman's experiences as she faces cruelty, exploitation, and corruption while attempting to remain virtuous.
Henry Fielding writes novels that combine satire, humor, and sharply observed depictions of 18th century society and morality. His characters often become involved in entertaining adventures, navigating romance, social status, and moral challenges.
Readers who appreciate Cleland's frank approach might enjoy Fielding's Tom Jones, which tells the often humorous, sometimes scandalous story of a good-hearted foundling hero facing love, temptation, and misadventure.
Tobias Smollett was an 18th-century novelist known for his humor, satire, and vivid storytelling. His novel The Adventures of Roderick Random follows the chaotic travels and adventures of its young protagonist.
Readers who enjoy Cleland's lively narrative and candid characters will appreciate Smollett's witty portrayal of human nature and social satire.
Samuel Richardson was an influential English novelist admired for his insightful character studies and emotional depth. His famous work, Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded, explores social class and moral issues through letters written by the protagonist herself.
Fans of Cleland's detailed character exploration may find Richardson's intimate storytelling equally intriguing.
Denis Diderot was a major French writer and philosopher who boldly examined morality, relationships, and individual freedom in his works. His novel The Nun (La Religieuse) tells the story of a young woman forced into religious life.
It critiques oppressive institutions and examines deeply personal struggles with honesty and daring, qualities readers of Cleland could appreciate.
Restif de la Bretonne was a French author known for exploring forbidden desires and the complexities of human emotions through his often provocative storytelling.
His novel The Anti-Justine (L'Anti-Justine) serves as a provocative and explicit counterpoint to the works of Marquis de Sade, openly discussing sexuality and morality.
Those drawn to the candid sensuality and controversial themes found in Cleland might enjoy Restif's equally bold writing.
Giacomo Casanova was more than just the famous adventurer we know today; he was also a gifted writer who skillfully narrated his experiences with lively detail and a rich sense of humor.
His memoir, Histoire de Ma Vie (The Story of My Life), captures the spirit, complexities, and intrigues of 18th-century Europe.
Cleland readers who enjoy depictions of adventurous lives and frank accounts of romantic escapades will likely be entertained by Casanova’s vibrant storytelling.
Aphra Behn was a bold and provocative writer of the Restoration era. Her writing often explores themes of female sexuality, desire, and societal conventions. Readers who enjoy John Cleland's frank depiction of human passion will appreciate Behn's openness and wit.
Her novel, Oroonoko, is notable for its powerful storytelling, critique of slavery, and exploration of desire and power dynamics.
Giovanni Boccaccio was an Italian author and poet best known for his humorous and sensual storytelling. His work often portrays lively scenes of love, desire, trickery, and artful seduction.
Like Cleland, he writes entertaining stories about human relationships and passions, with humor and insight. His best-known collection, The Decameron, offers a variety of playful, romantic, and often erotic tales.
Pietro Aretino was an Italian writer famous (and infamous!) for his explicit and humorous treatment of human sexuality. His frank, irreverent writing style can amuse and shock readers equally.
Fans of Cleland's directness and bold exploration of erotic themes will find Aretino's playful, vivid storytelling intriguing, especially in his controversial collection, The School of Whoredom.
Anaïs Nin, celebrated for her deeply personal and poetic style, explores human emotions, intimate desires, and psychological depth. Her writing thoughtfully portrays the complexities and subtleties of sexual and romantic relationships.
Readers who find Cleland intriguing may appreciate Nin's insightful and elegantly written exploration of eroticism and identity, especially in her famous collection Delta of Venus.
Pauline Réage is the pen name of Anne Desclos, author of the controversial and powerful erotic novel Story of O. Réage examines themes of submission, dominance, desire, and psychological transformation in a compelling yet unsettling way.
If you enjoy Cleland's exploration of erotic desire pushing boundaries, you'll find Réage's challenging and daring portrayal of sexuality both thought-provoking and unforgettable.