Joseph Andrews, Volume 1

by Henry Fielding

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.

Genres: Classics

196 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Henry Fielding was an English dramatist, journalist and novelist. The son of an army lieutenant and a judge's daughter, he was educated at Eton School and the University of Leiden before returning to England where he wrote a series of farces, operas and light comedies.

Fielding formed his own company and was running the Little Theatre, Haymarket, when one of his satirical plays began to upset the government. The passing of the Theatrical Licensing Act in 1737 effectively ended Fielding's career as a playwright.

In 1739 Fielding turned to journalism and became editor of The Champion. He also began writing novels, including: The Adventures of Joseph Andrews (1742) and Jonathan Wild (1743).

Fielding was made a justice of the peace for Westminster and Middlesex in 1748. He campaigned against legal corruption and helped his half-brother, Sir John Fielding, establish the Bow Street Runners.

In 1749 Fielding's novel, The History of Tom Jones was published to public acclaim. Critics agree that it is one of the greatest comic novels in the English language. Fielding followed this success with another well received novel, Amelia (1751).

Fielding continued as a journalist and his satirical journal, Covent Garden, continued to upset those in power. Throughout his life, Fielding suffered from poor health and by 1752 he could not move without the help of crutches. In an attempt to overcome his health problems, Henry Fielding went to live in Portugal but this was not successful and he died in Lisbon in 1754.

Reviews

[andreea. · Rating 1 out of 5]

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[Rabbia Riaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

In volume 1 of Joseph Andrews, the main thing that Fielding highlightes is "moral bankruptcy" .Book 1 is about the chastity of Joseph, the handsome lad to whom Mrs. Slipslop and Lady Booby try to seduce sexually. (Their names attract me which are given on the basis of their role). Later on same thing is done by Mrs. Tow Wouse. Betty also likes him due to his beauty but he remains chaste throughout but shows his love for fanny. Parson Adams and Joseph Andrews are the good characters while others are bankrupt morally, religiously, economically and so on.

[John Yelverton · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a horrible book in which none of the characters can engage in either virtue or vice without having their entire worlds rocked by calamities and injustices.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing satire on 18th-century England that still manages to have some universality in the fun it pokes at the pretentious, small-minded, snobbish, and ill-tempered.

Though the author's better-known work The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling has all of the same virtues as a work of prose, only to a greater degree, I personally prefer the hero of this one. Where Tom Jones professes his love for Sophia but has no problem sleeping with any other woman who he encounters, Joseph Andrews, following the exhortations of his kindly mentor, the Reverend Adams, refuses a number of advances by assorted women because he is true to his beloved Fanny. This is partly in imitation of his sister Pamela, the same Pamela Andrews from the novel Pamela by Samuel Richardson, which Fielding had earlier satirized in An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews . So this book is a spin-off from a satire of a rival's work, but incorporates some of his values into it without apparent intent to satirize them. Joseph is sincere in his commitment, and it's clear that Adams is a devout and faithful clergyman (in contrast to every other clergyman they meet), even if he is a bit free with his fists at any provocation.

The story involves a good deal of travel (Joseph is trying to get back to his home area after losing his position in London because he wouldn't sleep with his recently-widowed employer), and it's clear that 18th-century travel was significantly dangerous. The characters are constantly encountering criminals of one sort or another. There appear to have been a great many inns and taverns, though, since they keep stumbling across them (and then having trouble paying the bill, because they've been robbed by the criminals).

I'm looking forward to reading the second volume next.

[Maja Tesic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved all the parts that had Joseph as the main character ..unfortunately that was a couple chapters at the beginning and a couple chapters at the end. Majority of the book is about a parson (his friend) who is on a journey back home and all the riff raffs he gets into and how he handles it.

There was no big story other than the fact they were on a journey...it felt like there were a lot of short stories compiled to make one big one. I personally think it would have been more dramatic if there was less stories that were longer or even one main story..

But the main reason I'm giving it a 2 star is because I found Adam's boring and would have LOVED to have more of Joseph.

The book says it's about hid attempts to preserve his virtue but that's not the case it's about Adam's preaching charity. Aka 'why aren't u giving me your money, why can't I get this for free' etc

[the_queen_of_books24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too tired, RTC

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good so far

I like Henry Fielding's playful style of writing. His characters and stories are a lot of fun and never boring.

[Siva Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would've given this one star but then I remembered Pamela...

[Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5*

[Geoff Wooldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will write a review when I have completed Volume 2 - almost halfway now.

[pəˈteɪtəʊ · Rating 1 out of 5]

From his country perhaps he may fly,
But, oh, can he fly from his own mind!

[St. Clair · Rating 3 out of 5]

'It is the Observation of some antient Sage, whose Name I have forgot, that Passions operate differently on the human Mind, as Diseases on the Body, in proportion to the Strength or Weakness, Soundness or Rottenness of the one or the other.'

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far not the most riveting story ever. Hoping Part 2 is a little better. Not awful, but not terribly interesting either.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some giggles but it hasn't quite thrilled me with its magnificence yet - everything that seems to be making it awesome was significantly better done in Tristram Shandy. This one? Meh...

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://ilayreading.wordpress.com/201...

[Tris · Rating 1 out of 5]

BLIEGIHEUGEUEH no sé si ha sido porque lo he leído para clase, pero no me ha gustado nada.