Roxana, The Fortunate Mistress is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1724. It tells the story of a beautiful and intelligent woman who is forced to make her own way in the world after being abandoned by her husband. Roxana is a young woman of good birth who is married to a wealthy merchant. When her husband dies, she is left with no money and no prospects. She is forced to make her own way in the world, and she does so by becoming a courtesan. She is successful in her new profession, and she soon finds herself in the company of some of the most powerful and influential people in London. Roxana is a complex character, and the novel explores her inner struggles as she navigates her way through the world of high society. She is torn between her desire for wealth and power, and her longing for true love and companionship. In the end, she is able to find a balance between the two, and she is able to find happiness and contentment.
By Daniel Defoe · First published 1724 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure · 30 chapters