The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (abridged) (Read by Garrick Hagon)

Music by Janacek and Delius

Tom Sawyer is a young lad who loves adventure. He lives with his Aunt Polly and brother Sid in a small town on the banks of the Mississippi river and try, as he will, he finds it impossible to keep out of trouble. Life is so interesting, and there is so much to investigate, that 'bunking off' from school is inevitable; as is his deep friendship with Huck Finn who is the town's vagabond, shunned by all respectable grown ups.

For someone of such tender years Tom understands human nature. He knows, for example, how to lure his friends into thinking that whitewashing a fence is the greatest fun on earth, and make them willing to pay for the privilege. On another occasion, he calculates exactly when it is time to raise the morale of his pirate gang of truants by coming up with a devastating plan.

Like all great actors, he is a master of timing, making a grand entrance at his own funeral at the most dramatic moment of the service, or arriving in the nick of time at the Widow Douglas' party with the gold that he and Huck have just dug up.

Tom's swashbuckling, calculating and optimistic nature nevertheless has a vulnerable side, and this is his love for Becky Thatcher. The course of true love never runs smooth, and this was never so true as in Tom's case; he even nearly leads her to her death by getting them both lost in the caves. However all ends well. Injun Joe, the villain, dies and the rest of the rich array of characters live on to appear again in Mark Twain's masterpiece, Huckleberry Finn - also available on Naxos AudioBooks.

"Among the many versions of Twain's novels and stories, this two-cassette [also on 2 CDs-Ed.] abridgment stands out for Garrick Hagon's appealing storytelling. Hagon lays out a well selected sequence of scenes and familiar episodes in an intimate performance. His narrative rhythm is exceptional, creating a style that draws listeners in and holds their attention. Characters are given good vocal color, but never overdone. Aunt Polly, Tom, Huck, and all the characters become part of a wonderful whole. A great choice to introduce Twain and enjoy a particularly fine performance."
--Review by Robin F. Whitten, Audiofilemagazine