The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692) by Elkanah Settle

"The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)" by Elkanah Settle is a work of early fiction that combines biography and picaresque elements, likely written in the late 17th century. It centers around William Morrell, a notorious impostor who assumes various identities, including that of prominent local figures, as he navigates his criminal exploits. This text serves as a reflection of the societal dynamics and the underbelly of 17th-century English life, exploring themes of deceit and identity. At the start of the narratives, we are introduced to William Morrell, who begins his journey as a reputable surgeon in Banbury. However, as his practice dwindles and financial difficulties arise, he resorts to clever deception to maintain his lifestyle. He ingratiates himself at the homes of the gentry while devising elaborate schemes that include pretending to be various gentlemen to con unsuspecting country folk. As he skillfully enacts his frauds, the narrative establishes a tone of dark humor and social commentary on the nature of his character and the gullibility of those around him. The opening lays the groundwork for an intriguing interplay of fact and fiction, promising many misadventures for the notorious protagonist. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Settle, Elkanah, 1648-1724
Editor Peterson, Spiro
LoC No. 58002389
Title The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)
Credits Produced by David Starner and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net
Reading Level Reading ease score: 59.8 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Morrell, William, -1692 -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 37517
Release Date
Last Update Jan 8, 2021
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 313 downloads in the last 30 days.

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