Thoroughly enjoyable

It's been fifty years since I first read Tom Jones. My young self and my old self agree on at least this one thing; Tom Jones is worthy of its reputation as a landmark and a masterpiece of English lit. It's a ripping good tale, full of romance, adventure, and, above all, good humor, for anyone willing to put the general disorder of our current age at bay long enough to enjoy the delights of a more leisurely, orderly, and more civil age. The reader is perfect for the subject matter and arch humor. And, snatches of the music of the period used as bookends to major divisions in the novel are wonderfully apt additions that help us ease into the times of Fielding and our hero. Bravo for a job well done.

7 people found this helpful

Satirical Masterpiece with Excellent Narration!

Even after over 250 years, this book is still hilarious. We follow our hero through many mishaps and escapades that are anything but heroic. Fielding pokes fun at just about everything again and again.

That being said, if you're not bookish or don't enjoy classic literature, you will decidedly not have a good time with Tom Jones. It's wordy. Really wordy. Fielding goes off on a tangent just about every other chapter--which is all part of his sense of humor, because he loves to make fun of authors. He just can't help himself!

To match the style, Griffin's narration is delightfully tongue-in-cheek the entire way through the book--all 38 hours!

6 people found this helpful

Pleasure to listen to!

A very enjoyable listen! Charleton Griffen really knows how to bring a book to life!

3 people found this helpful

Holy cow

A long winded, side winding, 18'th century pompous tale of Tom Jones who's biggest fault is that he is a young man who likes having sex. And Oh yeah,... he likes this girl named Sophie. It was good but really long with many asides and long side stories. A great portrait of 18'th century England, the writer tells the story as a narrator, as an author that is speaking to the reader at times, as a teacher, as a defensive writer. Took me a while to muscle through this one.

2 people found this helpful

Finally got through this 18th-century classic

This has been on my get-to-it-someday list since my college days, but it isn't an easy read despite the author's 1740s wit and snarkiness. The book itself is long and the author's introductory essays to each section tend to distract and discourage a reader, but Griffin's performance overcomes that. Thanks to the audio book, I was able to savor the book as much as I did the movie.

1 person found this helpful

Very good

Tends to be a little long and wordy at times but the payoff is worth it. The narration is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who has the time to listen and loves old novels as much as I do.

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful performance diminished by bad directing

The novel is, of course, a classic and one can hardly go wrong with a narration by Charlton Griffith. However the director of the audiobook chose to include music at the beginning of each chapter that appears to serve no other purpose than as a distraction to the dense prose. The choice did nothing to add to the enjoyment of the production. Rather quite the opposite.

I loved the book!

I was impressed with Mr. Fielding’s story telling, especially with his frequent breaking of the 4th wall. It brings the reader along nicely through the adventures in the book.

I was amazed at the applicability of the characters situations to today’s readers. Shocking was how well Mrs Fitzpatrick painted the perfect description of a classic narcissist when describing her husband. Some things don’t change. Also, the relevance of the political opinions still mirror those of today.

Last, but certainly not least, Mr. Griffin did a masterful portrayal of each of the characters, which brought them to life! I loved his use of the slimy simpering voice of Master Blifil. Simply masterful!!

Book rollicking read

Voice of Griffin matches the lively text ... Merrily he told along! The book is light and amusing...a bonbon for an evening.