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Shamela
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An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews
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Shamela

novel by Fielding
Also known as: ā€œAn Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrewsā€(Show More)
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History

Shamela, novel by Henry Fielding, published under the pseudonym Conny Keyber in 1741. In this parody of Samuel Richardsonā€™s epistolary novel Pamela, Fielding transforms Richardsonā€™s virtuous servant girl into a predatory fortune hunter who cold-bloodedly lures her lustful wealthy master into matrimony. It was the first of several books to burlesque the sentimental prudery of the immensely popular Pamela.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.