I added Moonfleet to my Classics Club list after seeing some very positive reviews from other bloggers and thinking it sounded like something I might enjoy. It’s an adventure story and was apparently very popular when it was published in 1898, although it seems to have been overshadowed by similar books like Treasure Island and Kidnapped. Modern authors are still influenced by it, though, such as Alex Preston, who named it as the inspiration for his 2022 novel, Winchelsea.
Moonfleet is set in the 18th century and is narrated by John Trenchard, a fifteen-year-old orphan who lives with his aunt in the village of Moonfleet on the south coast of England. The village takes its name not from the moon but from a prominent local family, the Mohunes. Generations of Mohunes are buried in the family vault under the church, including the notorious Colonel John ‘Blackbeard’ Mohune who once stole a diamond from King Charles I and hid it in a secret location. According to legend, his ghost now walks the churchyard trying to find the hidden jewel.
One night, John Trenchard finds himself accidentally locked in the Mohune vault where he discovers a locket containing a scrap of paper with what appear to be clues to the location of the missing diamond. He also makes another discovery: a group of local smugglers are using the vault as a hiding place for their contraband. He is rescued by two of the smugglers – the innkeeper Elzevir Block and Master Ratsey, the church sexton – and now that he knows their secret, he becomes involved in their smuggling operations. When an encounter with the excisemen ends in violence, John and Elzevir are forced to flee and as they’re unable to return to Moonfleet, they decide to go off in search of Blackbeard’s diamond.
Although this is usually described as a children’s book, like most classics it can also be enjoyed by adults. As it was published in the 19th century, the writing style is naturally very dated now, but I think there should still be enough to keep both older and younger readers interested – as well as the smugglers, hidden treasure and haunted churchyards, there are sea voyages, shipwrecks, coded messages, curses and even a touch of romance (John is in love with Grace, daughter of the novel’s villain, the magistrate Maskew). Later in the book, there’s also a surprising amount of emotional depth as a relationship forms between John, who has grown up without a father, and Elzevir, who has lost a son.
Moonfleet itself is a fictional village, but is based on East Fleet near Chesil Beach in Dorset. The geography of the area plays a big part in the book, with descriptions of the high cliffs, secluded bays and hidden coves that make the coastline ideal for smuggling. It’s just as important to the story as the characters and the plot. I enjoyed the book, although I don’t think it would have been a favourite classic even if I’d read it as a child. Still, I found it entertaining and perfect escapism, which is something I think most of us need now and then! It seems Falkner only wrote two other novels, The Lost Stradivarius and The Nebuly Coat; if you’ve read them, I’d love to know what you thought.
This is book 46/50 from my second Classics Club list.
She Reads Novels 
I loved this book aged 11 when I lived nearby. The Moonfleet Hotel is the location of part of the story https://luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/locations/moonfleet-manor/history/
Thank you for that link – that’s very interesting! I hadn’t realised the Mohuns/Mohunes were a real family.
I am sure the hotel was a pub in the 1960s when I lived in the area.
This does sound fun. I like that there’s a hidden treasure and coded messages. John’s relationship with Elzevir also sounds like a heartwarming one. I’ll have to see if I can get a copy of this. 😀
Yes, it’s good fun. I hope you can find a copy of it!
I took my young son (under ten at the time, I think) camping in the early 1990s at East Fleet camp site by Chesil Beach, so my subsequent (re)read of this novel was very much brought to life, as with Liz above, by memories of the area. I’m sure I linked to my review when you mentioned this was on your TBR list for this year, but if not here it is: https://wp.me/p2oNj1-yH
Yes, it can really add to the experience of reading a book when you’re familiar with the setting (which in this case, I wasn’t). Thanks for the link – your post is very interesting, as always!
I have a memory of listening to this being read, possibly on the radio, when I was young
It seems there have been a few radio adaptations, as well as some film and TV ones. I’ve never seen or heard any of them, though!
I really enjoyed this when I read it and enjoyed Winchelsea too. I used to use parts of it with my pupils and they loved the atmosphere of the book
Yes, it does have a lot of atmosphere. I’m glad you and your pupils liked it!
I didn’t remember being that impressed with it, but when I looked back at my review, I apparently enjoyed it.
I thought it was an entertaining novel, but not really an outstanding one.
Yes, I agree.
Was it Vishy’s enthusaism in part, by chance? I had fun reading about his reading of it not long ago; it made me want to reread it (it was a schooltext for me, but one I enjoyed enough to want my own copy when I was old enough to buy books on my own). Now I’m so curious about the other books he wrote, also available as Oxford classics apparently (among other editions).
I think I do remember Vishy’s review, although there were others as well. I don’t think I would want to reread this one, but I would definitely be interested in his other two novels.
I had forgotten all about this but remember enjoying it as a child, the title is so romantic!
I never came across it as a child but I’m glad I’ve had the chance to read it now. I love the title too!
Sounds like an adventure filled classic! I think I will be adding this to my TBR, thank you for the review. 😊
Happy reading! 📚
Yes, it’s a fun classic! Happy reading to you too 🙂