Finance and Fictionality in the Early Eighteenth Century

The book explores the parallels between finance and fiction in the early eighteenth century, highlighting societal anxieties over financial credit. Sandra Sherman examines how texts related to credit were viewed as "fictions," while literature, particularly the works of Daniel Defoe, navigated the complexities of market discourse. Defoe's writings reflect the tension between honesty and deception in financial narratives, illustrating how authors can engage with the market while maintaining a degree of creative freedom and evading accountability.