The classic story of a young man living by his wits and relying upon his fortunes in 18th-century England, by one of the greatest novelists in the language. Tom Jones, a foundling who is taken in and raised by the kindly Squire Allworthy, is a guileless boy whose inherent decency is sometimes obscured by his high-spirited bawdiness and candor. Unjustly banished from the Allworthy house, Tom takes to the road and, after a series of richly comic, often harrowing adventures, learns the value of prudence, is reunited with Allworthy, and discovers his true identity.
In the PENGUIN CLASSICS series, a single volume containing two novels written by Henry Fielding. It includes SHAMELA, written in 1741, in which the heroine sets out to catch a rich husband and JOSEPH ANDREWS, written in 1742, in which the eponymous hero loves one woman but is pursued instead by the Lady to whom he is servant.
A vivid, romantic comedy, Tom Jones is also a clever social satire. This well-loved classic has recently been made into a wonderfully warm and funny television serial.
Ed.: George Saintsbury / Contents: / The Authors Farce, Acts I. And II. / The Tragedy of Tragedies; or, The Life And Death / of Tom Thumb The Great / Pasquin; A Dramatic Satire On The Times / An Essay On Conversation / The True Patriot, No. XIII. / The Covent-Garden Journal, Nos. X., XXXIII. / Familiar Letter
