Roxana The Fortunate Mistress

Roxana The Fortunate Mistress by Daniel Defoe is a notable work published by Orion Publishing Group in February 1999 as part of the Everyman Edition series. This edition spans 334 pages and is presented in English. The narrative follows Roxana, who, after being deserted by her husband, chooses a life of sexual intrigue and deception across England, France, and the Netherlands, abandoning her previous life and her five children.

Readers will encounter a complex tale of ambition and moral conflict as Roxana navigates her rise to social prominence through a series of affairs, ultimately leading to her second marriage to a jeweler. The story delves into themes of identity and the consequences of past choices, particularly as Roxana’s opulent lifestyle comes under threat when she is confronted by a daughter she had long abandoned. This edition offers a detailed exploration of Roxana’s struggles and the societal pressures she faces, making it a significant entry in British and Irish fiction.