Audiobooks by Henry Fielding

History of Tom Jones, a Foundling (Unabridged)

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, often known simply as Tom Jones, is a comic novel by English playwright and novelist Henry Fielding. It is both a Bildungsroman and a picaresque novel. It was first published on 28 February 1749 in London, and is among the earliest English prose works to be classified as a novel.

Henry Fielding (Author), Brian Morris (Narrator)

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Tom Jones - Henry Fielding

Henry Fielding (April 22, 1707 - October 8, 1754) was an English novelist and dramatist known for his rich earthy humour and satirical prowess, and as the author of the novel Tom Jones. Aside from his literary achievements, he has a significant place in the history of law-enforcement, having founded what some have called London's first police force, the Bow Street Runners, using his authority as a magistrate.

Henry Fielding (Author), Omc (Narrator)

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The Poets of the Eighteenth Century - Volume II

For many in Europe the focus has shifted west to the Americas, both by settlement and by war against the indigenous tribes. And then between themselves.Democracy would be reborn by the American War of Independence. In the East India becomes the stage for further expansion. For our wordsmiths the world had become a wider page on which to write their thoughts. Coleridge, Pope, Southey, Wordsworth speak with lyrical eloquence on subjects both great and small. But always form the heart.

Henry Fielding, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, Philip Freneau (Author), Ghizela Rowe, Gideon Wagner, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Female Husband

Henry Fielding was born at Sharpham Park, near Glastonbury, in Somerset on April 22nd 1707. His early years were spent on his parents’ farm in Dorset before being educated at Eton.An early romance ended disastrously and with it his removal to London and the beginnings of a glittering literary career; he published his first play, at age 21, in 1728.He was prolific, sometimes writing six plays a year, but he did like to poke fun at the authorities. His plays were thought to be the final straw for the authorities in their attempts to bring in a new law. In 1737 The Theatrical Licensing Act was passed. At a stroke political satire was almost impossible. Fielding was rendered mute. Any playwright who was viewed with suspicion by the Government now found an audience difficult to find and therefore Theatre owners now toed the Government line.Fielding was practical with the circumstances and ironically stopped writing to once again take up his career in the practice of law and became a barrister after studying at Middle Temple. By this time he had married Charlotte Craddock, his first wife, and they would go on to have five children. Charlotte died in 1744 but was immortalised as the heroine in both Tom Jones and Amelia. Fielding was put out by the success of Samuel Richardson's Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded. His reaction was to spur him into writing a novel. In 1741 his first novel was published; the successful Shamela, an anonymous parody of Richardson's novel. Undoubtedly the masterpiece of Fielding’s career was the novel Tom Jones, published in 1749. It is a wonderfully and carefully constructed picaresque novel following the convoluted and hilarious tale of how a foundling came into a fortune.Fielding was a consistent anti-Jacobite and a keen supporter of the Church of England. This led to him now being richly rewarded with the position of London's Chief Magistrate. Fielding continued to write and his career both literary and professional continued to climb. In 1749 he joined with his younger half-brother John, to help found what was the nascent forerunner to a London police force, the Bow Street Runners. Fielding's ardent commitment to the cause of justice in the 1750s unfortunately coincided with a rapid deterioration in his health. Such was his decline that in the summer of 1754 he travelled, with Mary and his daughter, to Portugal in search of a cure. Gout, asthma, dropsy and other afflictions forced him to use crutches. His health continued to fail alarmingly.Henry Fielding died in Lisbon two months later on October 8th, 1754.

Henry Fielding (Author), Ghizela Rowe, Jake Urry (Narrator)

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N B C University Theater - Tom Jones

'NBC University Theater' initially started in Chicago with a remit to bring adaptations of classic novels, usually Anglo-American, to a radio audience.Additionally, if listeners signed up they received college credit to a radio-assisted correspondence course. A study guide, The Handbook of the World's Great Novels, was available for 25 cents.In its later years it also included short stories and plays and went on to win the distinguished Peabody award.Unlike many other radio shows University Theatre did not pursue the glamourous stars for its productions but instead relied on excellent distillations of the novels and first class acting alongside high production values.But now its time to enjoy these timeless novels. Let's begin.

Henry Fielding (Author), Tom Conway (Narrator)

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Tom Jones

Fielding's rollicking comic masterpiece sparkles with life in this BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatization. Abandoned child Tom is raised by the rich and benevolent squire Mr. Allworthy, much to the chagrin of Allworthy's mean-natured nephew Blifil, and develops into a good-natured rake. But Tom's inability to resist a pretty face lands him in hot water when he impregnates Blifil's betrothed. When the lovely Sophia runs away to London, Tom pursues, embarking upon a series of riotous and amorous adventures. However, further trouble and the revelation of his true identity await him in London.

Henry Fielding (Author), Full Cast (Narrator)

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Tom Jones

Henry Fielding's great novel is a masterpiece of the picaresque. It has a lovable rogue for a hero, whose all too recognisable human faults involve him in many a scrape. The story bounds along from the opening scene in which an unknown baby is discovered in Allworthy's bed, through all Tom's trials and tribulations. But the novel's exuberant tone never lets the reader fear that's its erring hero will come to any real harm, despite the machinations of the devious Blifils, who so nearly come between Tom and his true birthright. All comes right in the end, as Tom win the hands of his beloved Sophia, whose common-sense and virtue match her beauty. 1. BIRTH AND MARRIAGE. Returning to his home in Somerset after an absence of several months, the wealthy Mr Allworthy, a kindly man, decides to bring the child up himself. Inquiries suggest that Jenny Jones, a maidservant, is the child's mother: Allworthy forgives her and send her away to make a fresh start. His sister Bridget accepts a proposal of marriage of Captain Blifil, brother of a local doctor. She bears a son, who becomes heir to Allworth's estate. 2. LOVE AND FISTICUFFS. Tom grows up riotous but good-willed, unlike young Blifil, a smooth-tongued schemer. Tom falls in love with the beautiful Sophia, daughter of their neighbour Squire Western. When Sophia falls from her horse, Tom catches her and breaks his arm - and Sophia returns his love. Allworthy falls ill but, despite the news of his sister's death, soon recovers. Tom celebrates by getting drunk and Blifil starts a quarrel. Tom leaves the house in order to cool down, dreaming of Sophia. But he is seduced by Molly Seagrim, in whose arms his discovered by Blifil and his tutor, Thwackum. A fight breaks out; Western comes across them and joins in to help Tom. Sophia arrives shortly afterwards and faints with shock. 3. A MERCENARY UNION. Sophia's aunt, Mrs Western, tells the Squire that she believes her to be in love with Blifil. Both are pleased by such an advantageous match. When Mrs Western tells Sophia that she has guessed her true love, the girl admits that she loves Tom. Mrs Western is horrified and forces her to accept Blifil as a suitor. Blifil then makes a laughable attempt to woo Sophia - he feels nothing for her, but finds her father's wealth more than attractive. 4. DECEIT TRIUMPHS. Sophia pleads with her father, asking him not to marry her to Blifil; Western is enraged. Tom daringly requests to be allowed to reason with her, so that he can see her alone. While they declare their love for each other, Mrs Western tells the Squire the truth. He then surprises the lovers in one another's arm and throws Tom out. On hearing this, Blifil tells Allworthy a slanderously slanted version of Tom's behaviour on the evening of the fight. Allworthy is deeply upset; he summons Tom and banishes him. Distressed at losing Sophia, Tom sets out for Bristol, planning to go to sea. 5. A NIGHT ILL SPENT. Sophia flees with her maid Honour, to escape her imminent marriage. Tom, meanwhile, is attended by a barber; on hearing his story, the barber explains that he is Partridge, wrongly thought to be Tom's father. Tom rescues an older woman, Mrs Waters, from an attack. They go to an inn and she invites him into her bed, where they are disturbed by a stranger named Fitzpatrick, who thinks she is his wife, Sophia arrives at the same inn and her maid learns of Tom's infidelity. Shattered, Sophia leaves a note for Tom and goes on her way. 6. MISADVENTURES. Tom is aghast to find Sophia's note; after berating Partridges, he sets off in pursuit of her. Sophia encounters an old friend, Mrs Fitzpatrick, who has run away from her husband, and together they travel to London. There Sophia stays with her relative Lady Bellaston, until her hostess learns about her love for Tom. She then writes to Squire Western, who wrathfully drags Sophia away with him. Tom, meanwhile, keeps missing his beloved by a whisker. 7. DUELLING AND DESPAIR. Allworthy and Blifil follow the others to London, where Blifil continues his suit with Western's blessing, although Allworthy will not consent to the marriage unless Sophia is willing. Hoping for news of his beloved, Tom calls on Mrs Fitzpatrick. Instead he encounters Mr Fitzpatrick, who challenges him to a duel. Tom wounds Fitzpatrick and is arrested. The next day, Mrs Walters, who has taken up with Fitzpatrick, visits Tom with the news that Fitzpatrick is out of danger. On her departure, Partridges declares Mrs Walters to be Tom's mother; Tom is in despair at having committed incest. Partridge repeats his tale to Allworthy, who is equally appalled. 8. ALL IS CLEAR. Mrs Waters calls on Allworthy and reveals that Tom's mother was in fact Bridget and that she believes Allworthy is prosecuting Tom. Allworthy's steward, Dowling, admits that he has been acting for Blifil and revels that Blifil received a letter, intended for Allworthy, which his mother wrote on her deathbed confessing all, Allworthy realises that Tom has long been the victim of Blifil's schemes. Tom is released from prison and reunited with Sophia; Western has no objection to the match now that Tom is Allworthy's heir. Tom promises to mend his dissolute ways and wins Sophia's hand at last.

Henry Fielding (Author), Nigel Davenport (Narrator)

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Joseph Andrews

In one of the first novels in the English language, we follow the picaresque adventures of Joseph Andrews, a virtuous young man who is keen to maintain his innocence despite being coerced by nearly every woman he encounters. The episodic journey sees him travel home to London with his tutor, Parson Adams, as he heads to find his sweetheart, Fanny. Much mayhem ensues along the way as they become embroiled in a series of escapades and slapstick brawls. Fielding is an expert satirist and through the many twists and turns of narration, he combines high and low literature, and high and low humor to create a wittily funny novel that he aptly named a 'comic epic poem in prose'.

Henry Fielding (Author), John Telfer (Narrator)

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Tom Jones

Our hero Tom, a friendly young rogue with a heart of gold, has fixed his heart on the delicious Sophia, daughter of a wealthy landowner. Losing hope, poor Tom finds solace in the beds of a host of beautiful women, at least one of them old enough to be his mother. He leaves a trail of broken hearts behind him, only to discover... but that would spoil the story âˆ' you must listen and see! This great English classic is brought to life by Bill Homewood's lively reading.

Henry Fielding (Author), Bill Homewood (Narrator)

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Tom Jones (Classic Serial)

This is Stephen Wyatt's adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic comic adventure. Episode 1: The wealthy Squire Allworthy steps into bed and finds an infant wrapped between his sheets. Episode 2: Tom is banished from the home in which he has spent his entire life. Episode 3: Tom follows his true love Sophia to London and receives an invitation to a masked ball.

Henry Fielding (Author), Annette Crosbie (Narrator)

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Tom Jones

Penguin Classics presents Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, adapted for audio and available as a digital download as part of the Penguin English Library series. Read by the actor Robert Lindsay. ''Sir, I am concerned at the Trouble I give you; nay indeed my Nakedness may well make me ashamed to look you in the Face ...' Jones offered her his Coat; but, I know not for what Reason, she absolutely refused the most earnest Solicitations to accept it' A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighbouring squire - though he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. But when his amorous escapades earn the disapproval of his benefactor, Tom is banished to make his own fortune. Sophia, meanwhile, is determined to avoid an arranged marriage to Allworthy's scheming nephew and escapes from her rambunctious father to follow Tom to London. A vivid Hogarthian panorama of eighteenth-century life, spiced with danger and intrigue, bawdy exuberance and good-natured authorial interjections. Part of a series of vintage recordings taken from the Penguin Archives. Affordable, collectable, quality productions - perfect for on-the-go listening.

Henry Fielding (Author), Robert Lindsay (Narrator)

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Tom Jones

A BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Henry Fielding's rollicking comic masterpiece. Found one evening in the bed of the rich and benevolent Mr Allworthy, baby Tom grows up in the guardianship of the kindly squire. He develops into a good-hearted fellow who is nonetheless resented by Allworthy's mean-natured heir and nephew, Blifil. Tom's naive inability to resist a pretty face lands him in hot water when the gamekeeper's daughter declares herself pregnant. Since Tom has fallen in love with the squire's daughter, Sophia, who is herself betrothed to Blifil, the foundling finds himself banished from the Allworthy household. In pursuing the runaway Sophia to London, Tom embarks upon a series of riotous, and frequently amorous, adventures. However further trouble, and the revelation of his true identity, await him in London. Starring Anton Lesser as Tom, with Annette Crosbie, Hannah Gordon, Sarah Badel and Martin Jarvis.

Henry Fielding (Author), , Anton Lesser (Narrator)

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