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Literary Fiction· United Kingdom

Clarissa

by Samuel Richardson
Aggregate Editorial Score45/100
Guardian 100 Best Novels
Published 1748316 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

When Samuel Richardson published Clarissa in 1748, it quickly found its place in the broader tradition of literary fiction. The virtuous Clarissa Harlowe is abducted and raped by the dashing libertine Lovelace, whose rake's code meets its match in her resolute virtue. Richardson's enormous epistolary novel is a landmark in the history of the novel—both for its psychological depth and its exploration of female agency and moral authority. Themes of virtue, rape, class run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1748.

Book Details

AuthorSamuel Richardson
Published1748
Country of Origin🇬🇧 United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Pages316
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780140432152
Editorial Score45/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

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Country of Origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

First published in 1748, Samuel Richardson's Clarissa is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with virtue, rape, class, letters gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1748. With an editorial score of 45/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. What distinguishes Clarissa is how it handles its central concerns — virtue, rape, class, letters — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Samuel Richardson's role in the literature of United Kingdom is well established. Clarissa can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
174821
✍️
About the Author
Samuel Richardson
United Kingdom
View Author →

Samuel Richardson is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clarissa about?

The virtuous Clarissa Harlowe is abducted and raped by the dashing libertine Lovelace, whose rake's code meets its match in her resolute virtue. Richardson's enormous epistolary novel is a landmark in the history of the novel—both for its psychological depth and its exploration of female agency and moral authority.

Who wrote Clarissa?

Clarissa was written by Samuel Richardson, from United Kingdom. First published in 1748.

What awards has Clarissa won?

Clarissa has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1748.

Is Clarissa worth reading?

Clarissa is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in virtue, rape, class.

Where can I buy Clarissa?

You can buy Clarissa on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Clarissa?

Clarissa is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Clarissa from?

Clarissa originates from United Kingdom's literary tradition. Explore more books from United Kingdom on our country page.

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