The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling
by Henry Fielding
This remains forevermore one of the books that took me the longest time to read.
On and off, on and off, I probably picked this book up more times than I actually opened it to read the words inside.
I'm still not sure why I stalled so much in getting to the final chapter; all I can say is that I started this book nearly 2 years ago, let it down for a year or so, then picked it up again from the beginning all over and finally finished it last week.
It wasn't that the book wasn't good; on the contrary, the book had everything that a novel needs to fit the equation of a well-written work: solid narration, a diversity of characters, a simple story that speaks to mankind, drama, love, and a satisfying amount of humor from the author himself. But I didn't get into it. Not at all, at least until the plot really started unwinding down the road (past the first half of the book).
Maybe it was the unapproachable thickness of the book that made me afraid to pick it back up once I put it down...I am still an early high schooler after all. With my attention span being wittled away by 30-second TV commercials and online Facebook posts, small wonder I can't hold on to a book for more than a few hours at the most.
Anyway, the author tells the story of the life of a certain Tom Jones, who was found as a baby in the room of an esteemed esquire called Allsworthy. Although the origins of the baby remains a mystery, the good man decides to take in Tom Jones as his own son, and the boy lives a happy life until he reaches adulthood. Then comes the trouble--He falls in love with a girl named Sophia Western who lives next door. But of course, like all dramatic novels, both families don't approve of the marriage on the grounds of his unclear history (basically, the argument stands that the circumstances of his birth leave a bit to be desired). This, coupled with some clever accusations from Allsworthy's nephew, Tom Jones is kicked out of the house. Most of the book consists of his adventures on his way to, and at, London, his various heroisms and misdeeds (for indeed, Tom Jones is far from perfect), and ends with a surprising twist and a happily ever after.
I simply loved the author's personal voice in this story; although Fielding keeps a strictly 3rd-person position, he doesn't hesitate to address 'the reader' directly. He gives voice to his own opinions about the situation, often insisting that his job as a 'historian' compels him to write only the truth of what really happened. It seems a good way to avoid criticism, as well as a nice narrative tool to throw sarcastic comments without discrediting the events in themselves.
"Yo, reader! I know you're thinking this is a really touching scene between Boy A and Girl B, but let me interrupt that for a second to remind you that romance is overrated."
Moments like these bring me great joy as the reader. Cheesy scenes become interesting, and classic moments become hilarious.
I might have a bit of a complaint about the characters. Tom Jones seems way too loose with the women he meets along the way for me to be convinced that his heart is fully set on Sophia. Yes, I can deal with a main character's imperfections, but perhaps the author took them a tad bit too far? Or maybe it's the times in which this book was written? Perhaps it was considered OK, even proper, for a man to have experience with more than a few women.
I don't know, maybe it's supposed to show character or some crap.
But that blatant about-face from undying love for Sophia to any other beauty that crosses his path...it doesn't sit well with a female reader like me. Plus, he's a bit generic for the most part. Not very memorable at all. The circumstances surrounding him intrigue me, not the man himself. What do I think of him as a whole? A paper-cut male figure who has made the cover of a pretty good plot. It feels like I'm watching a bad actor act out himself.
Also, I would like to question the perfection of Sophia herself, who despite knowing of Tom's unfaithfulness, still chooses to forgive and love him without that much of a fight. Sure, she avoids him and pretends to be mad at him, but it feels pretty obvious to the reader that her love for him hasn't cooled down one bit. She's pretty much a sure-fire win, and it almost feels like she's being made into some sort of prize. A not very hard-to-get Princess Peach, of sorts. And I never did appreciate that pink Nintendo princess' characterization very much.
But putting those little details aside, a fine piece of work overall. It might seem a bit hard to get into in the beginning, but once you get used to the author's use of extended metaphors and narrative fun, there really is no novel quite like this one. I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for an old-fashioned style that doesn't put you to sleep.
Well, scratch that. I think I did fall asleep reading this once.
But the plot is pretty good, and the narrative voice receives all my love! Take a look before dismissing it as a classic Romeo and Juliet rip-off.
