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leafyshivers's review against another edition
4.0
Oft-hilarious but neverending plot; unquenchable narrator. A little too unquenchable, IMHO. Just remembering this novel (and I read it nearly a year ago) drains my head of words. Fielding's ego must have been truly elephantine to write Tom Jones in its existing, exhausting incarnation. I can sum it up, luckily, in five words: Incredible Classic, Too Fucking Long.
magicandmystery's review against another edition
3.0
I just finished book 15 which is Tom Jones by Henry Fielding. I liked this book, but it wasn't my all time favorite. I am beginning to see a pattern here with the books that Mr. Daniel S. Burt adds to his list. The majority of them seem to be about infidelity. Dude, seems to have a bit of thing with it!!!
The one thing that I liked about this book is that the writer is a part of the book. He frequently stops his story and directly speaks to the reader. This makes them feel like an active part of the story as well. One of the funny quotes like this was a discussion where he talked about the view from the top of a hill and he concluded by saying, "how to get thee down without breaking my neck I do not know" as though both the author and the reader where actually standing on the hill. Each chapter had headings and some of them were quite comical including these,
"containing such grave matter that the reader cannot laugh once through the whole chapter".
"Most dreadful chapter indeed; in which few readers ought to venture upon in an evening, especially when alone"
Tom Jones is a lovable character. He is full of character flaws, but the reader can tell that he is not a bad person inside. His predominant flaw is a penchant for being easily swayed by the temptation of a beautiful lady. Despite this, he never hides his flaw and is completely open with the world about it (much to his frequent distress). Here are a few quotes about him:
"Though he did not always act rightly he never did otherwise without feeling and suffering for it"
"A single bad act no more constitutes a villain in life than a single bad part on the stage"
A man who commits evil is not totally bad and corrupt in his heart"
Another interesting thing about this book, is that it reminded me a great deal of Don Quixote. Although I hated that book at the time I read it I am now very glad that I have read it because it appears to be an often quoted or used piece of literature. Tom Jones is similar to Don Quixote in that the main characters both go on quests with a completely ridiculous scaredy-cat side kick willing to sacrifice everything in hopes of furthering the hero. There was infact several references to Don Quixote including this one, Tom Jones had a "gallant disposition which inclines men to knight-errantry, that is to be the champions of ladies in distress.
Being a book about infidelity it is also a book about love. Tom Jones is on a road to personal discovery as he travels to London to make his fortune in the world. On the way he is prepared to eventually be worthy of the women he loves. Here are some quotes about love.
The disease of the mind do in almost every particular imitate those of the body...in the affair of love...this proneness to relapse is no less conspicious"
(This is at least the second book to refer to love as a disease!)
Love, I believe, is the child of love only"
"To love the creature who we are assured hates us is not in human nature"
The main point of the book seems to be about the fact that the author is using Tom Jones as a teachable moment so we can learn from his mistakes. Here are a few things that point to this:
"when we find such vices attended with their evil consequences to our favorite characters, we are not onlly taught to shun them for our own sake, but to hate them for the mischief they have already brought on those we love"
"I discern follies and vices too sufficient to repent and to be ashamed of, follies which have been attended with dreadful consequences to myself.
There were a lot of other things to say about this book, but I will leave it at that. I do have a tendency to ramble on. The next posting I post will likely be from the UK! If you have been following my book blog please also join me as I daily check in from my trip. I tend to do a daily log of my crazy shenanigans. i will also, while in London, be reading book 16 which is Great Expectations. As it is partially set in London and I hope to go to the Charles Dickens museum this is very exciting!!! I will leave you with one last quote from Tom Jones on London:
"London...here you have the advantage of solitude without its disadvantage, since you may be alone and in company at the same time."
The one thing that I liked about this book is that the writer is a part of the book. He frequently stops his story and directly speaks to the reader. This makes them feel like an active part of the story as well. One of the funny quotes like this was a discussion where he talked about the view from the top of a hill and he concluded by saying, "how to get thee down without breaking my neck I do not know" as though both the author and the reader where actually standing on the hill. Each chapter had headings and some of them were quite comical including these,
"containing such grave matter that the reader cannot laugh once through the whole chapter".
"Most dreadful chapter indeed; in which few readers ought to venture upon in an evening, especially when alone"
Tom Jones is a lovable character. He is full of character flaws, but the reader can tell that he is not a bad person inside. His predominant flaw is a penchant for being easily swayed by the temptation of a beautiful lady. Despite this, he never hides his flaw and is completely open with the world about it (much to his frequent distress). Here are a few quotes about him:
"Though he did not always act rightly he never did otherwise without feeling and suffering for it"
"A single bad act no more constitutes a villain in life than a single bad part on the stage"
A man who commits evil is not totally bad and corrupt in his heart"
Another interesting thing about this book, is that it reminded me a great deal of Don Quixote. Although I hated that book at the time I read it I am now very glad that I have read it because it appears to be an often quoted or used piece of literature. Tom Jones is similar to Don Quixote in that the main characters both go on quests with a completely ridiculous scaredy-cat side kick willing to sacrifice everything in hopes of furthering the hero. There was infact several references to Don Quixote including this one, Tom Jones had a "gallant disposition which inclines men to knight-errantry, that is to be the champions of ladies in distress.
Being a book about infidelity it is also a book about love. Tom Jones is on a road to personal discovery as he travels to London to make his fortune in the world. On the way he is prepared to eventually be worthy of the women he loves. Here are some quotes about love.
The disease of the mind do in almost every particular imitate those of the body...in the affair of love...this proneness to relapse is no less conspicious"
(This is at least the second book to refer to love as a disease!)
Love, I believe, is the child of love only"
"To love the creature who we are assured hates us is not in human nature"
The main point of the book seems to be about the fact that the author is using Tom Jones as a teachable moment so we can learn from his mistakes. Here are a few things that point to this:
"when we find such vices attended with their evil consequences to our favorite characters, we are not onlly taught to shun them for our own sake, but to hate them for the mischief they have already brought on those we love"
"I discern follies and vices too sufficient to repent and to be ashamed of, follies which have been attended with dreadful consequences to myself.
There were a lot of other things to say about this book, but I will leave it at that. I do have a tendency to ramble on. The next posting I post will likely be from the UK! If you have been following my book blog please also join me as I daily check in from my trip. I tend to do a daily log of my crazy shenanigans. i will also, while in London, be reading book 16 which is Great Expectations. As it is partially set in London and I hope to go to the Charles Dickens museum this is very exciting!!! I will leave you with one last quote from Tom Jones on London:
"London...here you have the advantage of solitude without its disadvantage, since you may be alone and in company at the same time."
notafraidofvirginiawoolf's review against another edition
4.0
Rather overlong, in my humble opinion, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Comical and Dickensian. I think I would have gotten more out of it had I not read it in such odd moments; it made for a disjointed experience
dianallanasm's review against another edition
5.0
This year I took on the quest of reading the book “On Reading Well” by K.S.P. in which this novel is part of the reading list.
I must say I am more pleased by this story than what I imagined I'd be! The History of Tom Jones has it all. It goes from humor, to love and from wisdom to folly within seconds. Its character are so well written that you end up joining them in laughter at their interactions or rolling your eyes at them at their discourses.
Tom Jones is a great book written not merely for one's entertainment. It provides sufficient material you can merely react to, but much more content you can reflect on. The meditation and reflection upon Tom's misfortunes and the consequences of his follies will lead one's path to prudence which hopefully we may all put to practice. Let us all not only practice what we preach but practice what we read.
I must say that it is quite a lengthy book but if I could turn back time, I'd read it again. I also confess myself guilty of not reading all of the introductory chapters, some of them where very long and I really wanted the story to continue! The author in one of them explains that they're there to make you more eager to read their story and so that you may savour it better, which I think is clever but I skipped a majority of them anyway.
I'd recommend it anytime to anyone!
I must say I am more pleased by this story than what I imagined I'd be! The History of Tom Jones has it all. It goes from humor, to love and from wisdom to folly within seconds. Its character are so well written that you end up joining them in laughter at their interactions or rolling your eyes at them at their discourses.
Tom Jones is a great book written not merely for one's entertainment. It provides sufficient material you can merely react to, but much more content you can reflect on. The meditation and reflection upon Tom's misfortunes and the consequences of his follies will lead one's path to prudence which hopefully we may all put to practice. Let us all not only practice what we preach but practice what we read.
I must say that it is quite a lengthy book but if I could turn back time, I'd read it again. I also confess myself guilty of not reading all of the introductory chapters, some of them where very long and I really wanted the story to continue! The author in one of them explains that they're there to make you more eager to read their story and so that you may savour it better, which I think is clever but I skipped a majority of them anyway.
I'd recommend it anytime to anyone!
halfwildbooks's review against another edition
1.0
the most sexist book i've ever read. I felt very uncomfortable. don't recommend. awful.
format; book and audiobook
format; book and audiobook
karatedrummer's review against another edition
5.0
Really entertaining batch of characters with a really strong narrative voice - over-imposing, maybe, but self-aware also. Fans of Dickens' lighter works, take heed.
eaborum's review against another edition
3.0
This massive book was just ok. I can appreciate it’s historical context but it just didn’t wow me. At least 50 pages could have been removed from this book alone if they took out the first chapter of each book where the author defends himself from any criticism he foresees the book receiving. Just because you recognize the problems in your story doesn’t give you a pass, Fielding. It just makes you look like a self-conscious guy who can’t take criticism. And it offered nothing to the plot. So that got tiresome real quick.
The worst aspect of this book was definitely the old language. The language made me struggle to feel anything during even the most shocking moments. Everything was just told in such a matter of fact way I struggled to care because I was tired from slogging through useless excess words. There was also hardly any dialogue and it was never broken up on the page. Reading page after page of solid blocks of text doesn’t help the book feel like it’s moving quickly. This book could have been really good if written in a modern style and with modern language. The storyline was actually pretty interesting once you get past all the unnecessary parts. The themes of this book did age surprisingly well, with a few exceptions. So, while I can appreciate this book for its history, it’s age was also its downfall.
The worst aspect of this book was definitely the old language. The language made me struggle to feel anything during even the most shocking moments. Everything was just told in such a matter of fact way I struggled to care because I was tired from slogging through useless excess words. There was also hardly any dialogue and it was never broken up on the page. Reading page after page of solid blocks of text doesn’t help the book feel like it’s moving quickly. This book could have been really good if written in a modern style and with modern language. The storyline was actually pretty interesting once you get past all the unnecessary parts. The themes of this book did age surprisingly well, with a few exceptions. So, while I can appreciate this book for its history, it’s age was also its downfall.
hayasonawala's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tom Jones, a bastard of infamous parentage, is nevertheless raised by the kind Squire Allworthy as a gentleman. He loves the neighboring Squire's daughter, Sophia, but has no problem sleeping around with the less scrupulous common girls while waiting for his chance with her. His foster father loves him and has him educated alongside his nephew and heir, Master Blifil. Jones inspires the friendship and ire of those around him and, when he is seen as a threat to Blifil's inheritance of the estate, is framed as eagerly anticipating his foster father's death. Squire Allworthy reluctantly casts him off and Tom must go out to seek his fortune in the world. At the same time Squire Western wishes to force his daughter to marry Blifil so that their estates can be combined. Sophia flees with her maid. Her father and Blifil in pursuit.
Of the handful of 18th century novels I've read in the past two years, 'Tom Jones' is the first I've enjoyed with the fewest qualifications to that word. Fielding is the first English novelist to understand how a story is supposed to work.
Fielding throws a lot in the air over this nearly 900 page novel and, with a notably boring exception (I'm looking at you Man of the Hill), the characters and their stories contribute towards the goal of illustrating Tom and Sophia's separate journeys to London with all the misunderstandings, plot twists and gross-out surprises that keep a reader interested. Here is a comic novel that is still capable of real humor and sustaining it. The plot is dense with pratfalls and fists and mistaken identities - a lie told by one character causes misfortune for another which prevents a third from bringing one of the pins from crashing to the floor.
On a serious note, the novel is concerned with hypocrisy more than anything else. Master Blifil and Thwackem in the eyes of the world are respectable, but their platitudes have no feeling behind them, their greed is so blinding they fail to see any other motivation in those around them. Hypocrisy towards sexual desire is thornier territory, but the message can be a simple as its natural, everyone wants to do it anyway, and if all participants have honest expectations and intentions and, erm, no one gets pregnant, its a good time for everybody. Thorny.
The novel works. There are a few moral wrinkles and unnecessary asides and structural problems, but 'Tom Jones' works. I'd recommend it over many others.
Of the handful of 18th century novels I've read in the past two years, 'Tom Jones' is the first I've enjoyed with the fewest qualifications to that word. Fielding is the first English novelist to understand how a story is supposed to work.
Fielding throws a lot in the air over this nearly 900 page novel and, with a notably boring exception (I'm looking at you Man of the Hill), the characters and their stories contribute towards the goal of illustrating Tom and Sophia's separate journeys to London with all the misunderstandings, plot twists and gross-out surprises that keep a reader interested. Here is a comic novel that is still capable of real humor and sustaining it. The plot is dense with pratfalls and fists and mistaken identities - a lie told by one character causes misfortune for another which prevents a third from bringing one of the pins from crashing to the floor.
On a serious note, the novel is concerned with hypocrisy more than anything else. Master Blifil and Thwackem in the eyes of the world are respectable, but their platitudes have no feeling behind them, their greed is so blinding they fail to see any other motivation in those around them. Hypocrisy towards sexual desire is thornier territory, but the message can be a simple as its natural, everyone wants to do it anyway, and if all participants have honest expectations and intentions and, erm, no one gets pregnant, its a good time for everybody. Thorny.
The novel works. There are a few moral wrinkles and unnecessary asides and structural problems, but 'Tom Jones' works. I'd recommend it over many others.
mattgroot1980's review against another edition
5.0
If readers can get past the archaic language, they will encounter a fun, hilarious, and engaging romp through Fielding's England.