If this novel hadn't been written in the 18th century, I would have rated it two stars. It has no real plot, it is basically just a list of (non)random sexual encounters. It does, however, offer a very amusing and (at least to me) surprising documentation of the fact that even back then women were already seen as sexual beings who can enjoy sex and even take control of it. In many ways, this is a very feminist piece of writing with an (unfortunately even by today's standards) admirable lack of judgmental remarks. What is also very entertaining are the countless ways Cleland thinks of to describe the numerous sexual encounters in the novel. 50 Shades et al sure could learn a thing or two about style and vocabulary from him.