The first English novel was a scandalous bestseller

Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded,' published in 1740, is widely considered the first true English novel. This epistolary tale, told through letters, captivated readers with its psychological depth and realistic portrayal of a maidservant resisting her employer's advances. While earlier works like 'Robinson Crusoe' existed, 'Pamela' pioneered character-driven narratives and domestic realism. Its success marked a turning point for literature, shifting storytelling from heroic epics to relatable, everyday experiences. Richardson, a printer, inadvertently created a new genre that would shape authors from Jane Austen to modern writers, sparking debates on class and gender along the way.