The History of Tom Jones

Henry Fielding

• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781513266213, 9781513218717
• eBook ISBN: 9781513268194
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

Two hundred years have not dimmed Fielding's realism. His humor is closer to our own than that of any other writer before the present century."-Kingsley Amis

"An exquisite picture of human manners."-Edward Gibbon

"The plotting is complex, astonishing and perfect. It brims with good nature and generosity of spirit....it's full of jokes, suspense, cliffhangers, narrative reversals and pathos."-Jonathan Cole

The History of Tom Jones is Henry Fielding's greatest work and one of literature's earliest examples of a fully realized protagonist, with both virtues and vices on abundant display. The picaresque story of the orphan Tom, his exile, then subsequent adventures and loves is bristling with the spirit of mid-18th century Britain yet remains a deeply ambitious novel. The frank portrayal of human nature and innovative narrative structure of this classic continues to entice readers hundreds of years after it's publication.

When Mr. Allworthy, a kind country squire, returns from London he finds a baby boy in one of the beds of his estate. Through his inquiry, he determines that the mother is a local woman named Jenny Jones. Allworthy sends her away from the country, and decides to raise the boy, named Tom Jones, with his unmarried sister in their home. Soon after, Allworthy's sister marries and gives birth to her own boy, known as Blifil. He initially appears to be virtuous, yet as he grows it becomes apparent he inherently deceitful. Years later, when Squire Allworthy falls ill Blifil betrays Tom, and he is banished from the house. In his exile, Tom's adventures across his country begin.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The History of Tom Jones is both modern and readable.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedication
• Book 1. Containing as much of the birth of the foundling as is necessary or proper to acquaint the reader with in the beginning of this history
• Book 2. Containing scenes of matrimonial felicity in different degrees of life; and various other transactions during the first two years after the marriage between Captain Blifil and Miss Bridget Allworthy
• Book 3. Containing the most memorable transactions which passed in the family of Mr. Allworthy, from the time when Tommy Jones arrived at the age of fourteen, till he attained the age of nineteen. In this book the reader may pick up some hints concerning the education of children
• Book 4. Containing the time of a year
• Book 5. Containing a portion of time somewhat longer than half a year
• Book 6. Containing about three weeks
• Book 7. Containing three days
• Book 8. Containing about two days
• Book 9. Containing twelve hours
• Book 10. In which the history goes forward about twelve hours
• Book 11. Containing about three days
• Book 12. Containing the same individual time with the former
• Book 13. Containing the space of twelve days
• Book 14. Containing two days
• Book 15. In which the history advances about two days
• Book 16. Containing the space of five days
• Book 17. Containing three days
• Book 18. Containing about six days
• Chapter the last—In which the history is concluded
• A Note About the Author
• A Note from the Publisher