Tom Jones (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

'Tom Jones' is one of those lucky few- a book whose length is comparable in extent to its reader's enjoyment. 'Tom Jones' is a wonderfully dark, elaborately comic and utterly compelling account of the experiences of a young man as he pursues love, honour and fortune across 18th-Century England. Unlike many other novels and plays regarded as 'comic classics', Tom Jones is also genuinely funny. Seriously.

'Tom Jones' is enjoyable in and of itself- the characters and adventures are accessible, entertaining and varied. Despite this, one of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the introductory chapters to the novel's 18 'books'- short, usually amusing essays concerning theoretical aspects involved in the book. If you're pushed for time, you can skip them- but, much like the comic acts in certain Shakespeare plays, some of the best moments in the novel are contained in what can appear unneccessary literary 'padding'.

So don't be put off by its length, its age, its love for diversions and its complicated web of human relationships; Tom Jones is simply a fantastic read. Particularly for anyone acquainted with the historical environment the novel was written in, Tom Jones can be read as a satire on the hypocrisy of notions of honour; the scathing attack on those who marry for fortune rather than love has a peculiarly appealing modern resonance.

In the end, what's most revealing about Tom Jones is not how far the novel as a form has developed, but how little societal trends change over time. Fielding's world is one in which treachery and deceit are frequently the motives for acts of apparent benevolence, a world as hilarious as it is dangerous. If you've got a couple of weeks to spare, and a patient disposition, you could do a lot worse than to give 'Tom Jones' a try- for this price, you'd have to have a pretty good excuse not to!

It is odd to think that among Henry Fielding's original motives for selecting the novel as his chosen literary form was his outrage at what he saw as deficiencies in the work of his contemporary, Samuel Richardson. Richardson's `Pamela' was a popularly received work of fiction telling the story of a poor, humble and crucially, chaste, young woman sent to work in the house of a wealthy, arrogant, highly libidinous man. His attempts to rid her of her maidenhoodd and her attempts to defend it account for the action of the entire book. Ultimately, Pamela's determination prevails and she is rewarded by becoming her master's wife. Fielding took issue with the idea that Pamela's virtue was effectively portrayed as a commodity which could ultimately be bought and also with the tedious minutiae of Richardson's work as attempt after attempt on Pamela's virginity are described in achingly dull detail.

He wrote two scathing parodies of Richardson's work before attempting an entirely original work of his own in Tom Jones. The plot of this huge novel is fundamentally little more than a simple love-story which takes its protagonists meandering around southern England and finally to London where everything is finally resolved, via two or three last minute unexpected twists. It has been acclaimed as one of the first great English novels and justifiably so. Whilst the characters are largely fairly one-dimensional they are nonetheless skilfully drawn and highly engaging, particularly the eponymous Tom who's infectious joie de vivre and apparently unquenchable libido render him both extremely entertaining and highly likeable. His struggle to do the right thing and ultimately prove himself worthy of Sophia provides the novel's central dramatic tension and very much endears him to the reader.

And yet there is much more to the novel than just this simple story. Fielding enjoyed satire and took a keen interest in contemporary politics and society. Each book of the novel begins with a chapter in which Fielding directly addresses the reader, usually to mock or berate fellow authors or the likes of literary critics and journalists. There are many other occasions throughout the novel where Fielding breaks the 'fourth wall' and speaks directly to his reader. He clearly had some fun with the concept of the omniscient narrator who controls the universe he creates. Often he pretends to be entirely ignorant of events and pieces of information, at other times he claims to know every specific thought in each character's head and other times again he slowly reveals the truth of a situation, expertly building up the tension as he does so, as in the dramatic revelation of Tom's real parenthood. In reality of course, all authors do all these things and Fielding, in this very early novel, simply cleverly and playfully exposes them.

Dramatically the strongest sections of the book are the early chapters in Somerset which set the scene and introduce the characters, gently mocking unrefined country attitudes and behaviours in the process and the latter chapters in London which bring matters dramatically to a conclusion, wonderfully satirising the arrogance and hypocrisy of city life as they do so. The middle sections, which are truly episodic in nature as Tom journeys from one town to another encountering a whole range of people and stories, sag a little by comparison and perhaps meander too far from the central characters and plot.

There is no question that some readers will find this book hard -going. It is very long by modern standards and the mid-18th century language takes a considerable amount of getting used to. However, it is well worth persevering. Fielding is always witty and his willingness and ability to entertainingly describe his protagonist's sexual liaisons set him apart from many of his contemporaries and indeed from most of the huge body of 19th Century literature which was to follow. If you are interested in the history of the novel as a literary format and, perhaps more importantly, if you enjoy an entertaining, racy, well-told story, then this book is definitely for you.

This book is fantastic, a great, long, indulgent read which carries you on a journey around eighteenth century England. Tom Jones, a good-hearted, though misunderstood and spirited foundling is cast out of the home of Squire Allworthy and left to fend for himself in the world. At the same time, his childhood sweetheart runs away from home in order to avoid a marriage to Mr Blifil, Tom's childhood companion and Squire Allworthy's nephew. The story charts the two young people's journey around the country, with plenty of moments of near meetings and reconciliations. Coincidences aplenty and Henry Fielding's dry wit make this novel both satisfying and tremendously funny. Perhaps not for the easily offended since it's pretty bawdy! (In the eighteenth century it was blamed for causing earthquakes in London and Dr Johnson was 'ashamed' to hear that a friend had read it)! Certainly different to most eighteenth century writers, Fielding has produced his masterpiece in Tom Jones. Enjoy.