Foundations of the novel
Description
By 1705 already an established and tempestuous pamphleteer and journalist, this is a wonderful example of Defoe's direct and inventive style. Acknowledging its debt to prior works by Godwin and Wilkins, The Consolidator uses 'the lunar world to satirize England's political and economic abuses and to anticipate scientific inventions' (Gibson). Although most critics are content to analyse it as a prototype Gulliveriad, it is also a fascinating document in itself. Most of the work is dedicated to lengthy descriptions of the world in the Moon, given veracity through the claim that all of this information has been accrued during the narrator's lengthy sojourn in China, a land which has 'many sorts of Learning which these Parts of the World never heard of'. Defoe's unusual sleight of hand here is to say that in fact, Chinese innovation is due almost exclusively to the writings of Mira-cho-cho-lasmo, an ancient visitor from the moon who instructed them in the 'most exquisite Accomplishments of those Lunar Regions'. According to Gove, after a handful of editions in the first decade of the eighteenth century, this work was not republished except in pamphlet and extract editions until a Tegg version in 1840. Scarce on the market, this is a wonderful work and testament to Defoe's enduring importance to the imaginary voyage.
How the series evolves
Books in this Series
The Consolidator
By 1705 already an established and tempestuous pamphleteer and journalist, this is a wonderful example of Defoe's direct and inventive style. Acknowledging its debt to prior works by Godwin and Wilkins, The Consolidator uses 'the lunar world to satirize England's political and economic abuses and to anticipate scientific inventions' (Gibson). Although most critics are content to analyse it as a prototype Gulliveriad, it is also a fascinating document in itself. Most of the work is dedicated to lengthy descriptions of the world in the Moon, given veracity through the claim that all of this information has been accrued during the narrator's lengthy sojourn in China, a land which has 'many sorts of Learning which these Parts of the World never heard of'. Defoe's unusual sleight of hand here is to say that in fact, Chinese innovation is due almost exclusively to the writings of Mira-cho-cho-lasmo, an ancient visitor from the moon who instructed them in the 'most exquisite Accomplishments of those Lunar Regions'. According to Gove, after a handful of editions in the first decade of the eighteenth century, this work was not republished except in pamphlet and extract editions until a Tegg version in 1840. Scarce on the market, this is a wonderful work and testament to Defoe's enduring importance to the imaginary voyage.
Adventures of Eovaai, princess of Ijaveo
Haywood's novel is the story of the beautiful Princess Eovaai. Groomed for the throne by her father, who teaches her Lockean notions of liberty, she is overthrown, enmeshed in civil war, and then magically transported to a foreign land by an evil man. Part magician, part politician, he plots to marry her for political reasons.
A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates
Plates facing pp. 70, 157 and folded plate facing p. 259.
The adventures of Rivella
"With secret memoirs and characters of several considerable persons her cotemporaries. Deliver'd in a conversation to the young chevalier d'Aumont in Somerset-housearden, by Sir Charles Lovemore. Done into English from the French."