The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders

Moll Flanders, born in Newgate prison is taken from her mother who is deported to Virginia. Moll is taken in by gypsies, but wanting to be a gentlewoman, she runs away and is rescued by the Mayor of Colchester who brings her up as one of the family.

Moll meets and marries Lemuel Golightly, a sea captain with plantations in Virginia. All goes well until she finds out that her mother-in-law is really her mother and that her husband is her half brother.

Moll marries the love of her life, Jemmy, but, after setting off on honeymoon, soon discovers that neither of them has exactly been telling the truth. Left out on a limb again, Moll befriends a respectable banker, and soon discovers herself back in London.

Alone and virtually penniless, Moll continues her life of crime. She meets fellow thief Lucy and they become partners in crime and best of friends. After Lucy is caught and hanged, Moll's heart is not in thieving and she is easily caught.