Public-domain audiobook
History of Tom Jones, A Foundling (audiobook)
Free audiobook of History of Tom Jones, A Foundling by Henry Fielding: 36 h 5 min in 66 sections, read by LibriVox volunteers.
About this recording
Tom Jones is considered one of the first prose works describable as a novel. The novel is divided into 18 smaller books. Tom Jones is a foundling discovered on the property of a very kind, wealthy landowner, Squire Allworthy. Tom grows into a vigorous and lusty, yet honest and kind-hearted, youth. He develops affection for his neighbor's daughter, Sophia Western. On one hand, their love reflects the romantic comedy genre popular in 18th-century Britain. However, Tom's status as a bastard causes Sophia's father and Allworthy to oppose their love; this criticism of class friction in society acted as a biting social commentary.
Sources & data
- From the LibriVox catalogue. Word count estimated at 9,300 words per hour of narration.