Journey with a guy with much testosterone, but a HUGE heart. I was not looking forward to reading this book for my 18th Century British novel class, but upon starting to read I found it to be a pleasurable story. This piqaresque novel has a humor that I have seldom encountered in other narratives. What is ironic is that Fielding wrote this piece during one of the most traumatic periods of his life. His wife just passed away, his daughter was dying, and he was inflicted with the gout. One would never think it from the clever way the book is written. The point of view gives us an in so that we feel as if we ourselves have roles in the storyline. Rooting all the way for Tom despite his flaws, we find out more about human nature along the way. A good read, light a candle and sit down with some wine like they would've and enjoy this classic comical delight.

It was about time I read "Tom Jones." Fielding's 1749 novel gives us a panoramic view of 18th century British life. Its titular hero journeys among the low- and high-born trying to find his way in a world in which he occupies a precarious position. Fielding uses the sprawl of 800 pages to explore a multitude of social, political, and literary issues, gluing them together with an exquisitely outlandish, fully embodied sense of humour.

The action of the novel begins with a view of the Allworthy family, a landed gentleman, Thomas Allworthy and his sister, Bridget. Into this family is dropped an orphan, a foundling - a child, if you will, of questionable parentage. This child, Tom Jones, is raised alongside Bridget's child, Blifil, as relative equals. Both are tutored by two ideologues, the philosopher Square and the theologian Thwackum. Jones is a precocious, free-spirited youngster, spoiled by Allworthy while Blifil, the heir apparent to the estate, becomes the favourite pupil and spoiled accordingly by his mother. As the two youths age, Tom develops a fondness for the neighbour's daughter, Sophia Western.

Tom's sexual development begins to get him in trouble, as it tends to throughout the novel, and as a result of one such incident, coupled with the goading jealousy of Blifil, Tom is driven out of the Allworthy home, left to seek his fortunes in the world. Meeting his supposed father, Partridge, on the road, the two begin a quixotic ramble across England. Sophia, meanwhile, pressured into marrying Blifil, runs away from home, beginning her own voyage of discovery.

"Tom Jones" begins with the narrator likening literature to a meal, in which the paying customer comes expecting to be entertained and satisfied. All 18 books of "Tom Jones" start out with such authorial intrusions, each cluing us into the writer's craft, his interactions with his public, and various other topics. This voice is actually sustained throughout the novel, providing a supposedly impartial centre of moral value judgments - each of which seems to tend toward enforce Fielding's project of a realistic, and yet, didactic portrayal of a world full of flawed characters.

Some of the issues the novel deals most extensively with are modes of exchange, anxieties over female agency, and the power of rumour and reputation. Exchange and the ways in which value is figured include a wide range of goods - money, bodies, food, and stories - and are integral to the story. The treatment of women is a great concern in "Tom Jones": from Partridge's perpetual fear of witchcraft to the raging arguments between Squire Western and his sister over how Sophia should be treated, to general concerns about sexuality and virtue. A novel that can be in turns hilarious, disturbing, and provoking, "Tom Jones" is never dull. Despite its size, the pace of the novel is extremely fast and lively. So, get thee to a superstore and obtain thyself a copy of this excellent and highly entertaining novel.

I first picked up Tom Jones because to put it bluntly I am a bibliophile and it was a cheap book. However, I was suprised at how engaging and hilarious the story was despite the claims on the back cover, which are often far off. To tell the truth I did not expect to make it through this extremely lengthy tome, I only wanted to satisfy my curiousity.

Although I am a fan of Jane Austen I was shocked by the freshness and wit that Fielding's writing still retains. Every book in the novel begins with an essay by the author. Do not skip these, they are one of the best features of the book. My favorite is the essay before the ninth book which explains the purpose of these introductory chapters. What a riot!

The story of big hearted and big appetited Tom Jones and his adventures and misadventures is one long satirical gem. Fielding's interpretation of morals, piousness, love, and high society is still as hilarious and relevant as it was in the 18th century. For anyone who appreciates wit and history, this is a must read.

The Romulan Prize by Simon Hawke is a Romulan story filled with treachery, intrigue, deceit, deception, and guile... all of the things that define a good Romulan. This book has character development and bring the Romulan psyche out so we can look at it and see how they think.

Captain Picard and crew are on a patrole of the Neutral Zone when they run across a new more advanced Romulan Warbird seemingly drifting in space. Picard, how many times has your mother told you... never trust a Romulan? Well, this is a whole ship of them... and yes, they overpower the Enterprise... WITHOUT A PHASER SHOT... hmmm Cunning, those Romulans, now the crew scrambles to retake the Enterprise.

Something that I found to add some humor was Riker. Ol' Riker is portrayed with a Neaderthal psyche and is wanting to kick some Romulan butt. But, time is running out and the Romulans want to know about the secret shrouding Hermeticus 2. Picard does NOT have access to this information and the Romulan hijack the Enterprise and go to Hermeticus 2, a planet within a planet, that has a deadly secret.

The book keeps your interest as you want to find out why these Romulans are so aggressive and deceitful. Engrossed with the prose the storyline flows from one misadventure to the next as the Enterprise and her crew try desperatly to defeat the Romulans and restore peace, but with a Romulan you always have to check your back.

"The Romulan Prize" is a TNG novel by the very talented author Simon Hawke.

It's a good insight to the Romulan culture, with a plot that holds out throughout the book.

The novel is set late season 5, and captures the atmosphere of the TV-series most exemplarorily. The story has many twist in it, and the book is extremely visual, making it an entertaining book to direct in your mind.

The book had one dissapointment, though. It was the fact that it centered too much around the characters that, perhaps, are allready overused in the show. But those characters were fortunately portrayed extremely well.

And one more complaint goes to the unbeliavably unintelligent and ridiculous storyline, that shows our own cave-man Commander William Riker trying to make matters better by kikking some Romulan butt on the holodeck. It was like watching a Hollywood action film.

But if you're looking for good characterization and story that feels exactly like an episode of TNG (if not better), this is the book.

The Romulan Prize is a awesome book for Star Trek Lovers of all ages. In the Romulan Prize a new Romulan captain tricks the crew of the Enterprise into thinking his new Romulan Warbird is disabled. He then takes Enterprise to Hermeticus 2 a planet within a planet THAT The Federation has under quarentine. But I'll just let you find out for yourself because this is a awesome book!!!!!!

Man, all I have to say is Fredrick Douglas wins. Oroonoko is a conceited noble. He is oblivious to all that is really around him. He only sees what he wants to see. What a cause to die for. Let me tell ya.

This book is two great stories in one. It'd make a great movie.

Oroonoko is an African prince, in love with the beautiful Imoinda. When his elderly, impotent and slovenly uncle the king takes her into his harem, we get a nice Romeo and Juliet scenario that ends with Oroonoko thinking his lover is dead.

Later, the mighty prince is tricked by a sea captain and taken into bondage. He is sold into slavery in South America, where even his owners recognize his majesty. There he discovers his lost love, and something about the nature of bondage.

An compelling look at the nature of bondage, slavery, the human condition, European customs, love and passion, and honor. Especially intriguin because it was written in the 17th century, when slavery wasn't even a disputed practice.

The author is of note as well; Aphra Behn was the first woman to make a living as a writer. And she knows that her perspective is unique, and uses it to add to the story. How does the narrator really feel about this handsome African prince?

Pick it up. It's worthwhile.

At first glance you would believe this book to be one about racism. However, if you look deeper you will find many lessons entwined among the pages. I found this story to depict the value of education and that "book smart" is only half of the learning process. One must also obtain "street smarts." Oronooko relied on tutors ending in slavery and death. Frederick Douglass, on the other hand, was a slave with a commitment to learn to free himself. The only one to teach him was his desire to learn. And guess who wins. Read it and see what you learn!