Fielding

With the Life of the Author in Two Volumes

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

Henry Fielding

Hilarious and sexually open as well as sharp social commentary, this is the tale of the foundling Tom Jones and his journey from young boy to a lusty but kind man. During his formative years he must do battle with his enemies, including the hypocritical teacher Mr Thwackum and bullying local boy, Blifil, all the while silently bearing his love for the neighbour's beautiful daughter, Sophie. Daring in its depiction of prostitution and promiscuity, Tom Jones became a bestseller due to its wit, sex and romance.

Tom Jones

Arianna M

I only read Books I, III, IV, V, and IX, as they were the only parts required in my syllabus. I very much did not wish to unduly persevere in my acquaintance with this work.
I'll begin with saying that this is not a tremendously bad book, but there is nothing much of interest to me, personally, in it.
Mr Fielding wrote well enough, but LORD every page is just him smugly praising himself on how much better and superior he was to his peers and other novelists. CUT IT OUT, HENRY. CUT IT OUT. You don't have to make sweeping considerations on Human Nature at every turn. You can just write the novel without embedding your own commentary in it.
Also:
“Mr Jones, of whose personal accomplishments we have hitherto said very little, was, in reality, one of the handsomest young fellows in the world.”
[extensive flashback to the thousand times we have been told and told and told again how incredibly handsome Tom was] okay, sure

Tom Jones (Wordsworth Classics)

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The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling (Penguin Classics)

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the authoritative text, contemporary reactions, criticism

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Tom Jones (Lit. Heritage Collection)

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The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling With the Life of the Author in Two Volumes

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