Reacting against the sentimentality and moralism of the earliest English novels, Henry Fielding chose to create a work whose main character contains all the complexities of a real human being: the foundling Tom Jones. Tom has been raised by the Squire Allworthy to love virtue, and he truly wants to do good. But Tom's inability to control his temper and his heartyappetite for food, drink, and the opposite sex get him kicked out of Allworthy's estate and separated from his one real love, Sophia Western. So he begins a journey from the English countryside to the teeming city of London. Along the way he meets a parade of colorful characters, enjoys a series of bawdy, comic adventures, eventually discovers his true parentage, triumphs over the villainous Blifil, and rejoins the beautiful Sophia.
Soon after its 1749 publication, Tom Jones was condemned for being "lewd", and even blamed for several earthquakes. But what really riled its critics was its supremely funny satirical attack on eighteenth-century British society and its follies and hypocrisies' which, of course, are very much like our own.
This is a great list for selecting outside reading books. Some of these books though include themes that may be offensive and as such it may be a good idea to consult with your parents, librarians, counselors, and/or Mr. Williamson about your reading selection. This can help you choose the best book for you from among your many options.
How to Write An Effective Book Review
Introduce the subject, scope, and type of book
· Identify the book by author and title
· Specify the type of book (fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, etc.)
· Mention the books theme
Briefly summarize the content
· For a nonfiction book, provide an overview, including paraphrases and quotations, of the book’s thesis and primary supporting points
· For a work of fiction, briefly review the story line for readers, being careful not to give away anything that would lessen the suspense for future readers.
Provide your reactions to the book
· Describe the book
o Is it interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive? Why?
· Respond to the author’s opinions
o What do you agree with? And why?
o What do you disagree with? And why?
· Explore issues the book raises
o What possibilities does the book suggest? Explain.
o What matters does the book leave out? Explain.
· Relate your argument to other books or authors
o Support your argument for or against the author’s opinions by bring in other authors you agree with.
· Relate the book to latger issues
o How did this book affect you?
o How have your opinions about the topic changed?
o How is the book related to your own course or personal agenda?
Conclude by synthesizing your ideas
· Close with a direct comment on the book
· Tie together issues raised in the review and create an interesting and new insight
· Offer advice for potential readers
Escales, Maria. "Literacy Education Online: Writing Book Reviews". St. Cloud State University. March 9, 2009
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