In this novel, set in 1665, when the plague was rampant in Europe, a group of Londoners leaves the city and takes refuge in Epsom Forest. Daniel Defoe used the novel as an opportunity to express his disagreement with the unpopular proposed policy of quarantining London. It is notable for its intensely realistic scenes of terror, suffering, and death based on Defoe's childhood memories of London during the plague years. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.