The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Written by Mark Twain

Narrated by Bing Crosby

William Collins Books and Decca Records are proud to present ARGO Classics, a historic catalogue of classic fiction read by some of the world’s most renowned voices. Originally released as vinyl records, these expertly abridged and remastered stories are now available to download for the first time.

During a long hot summer, a young boy’s taste for excitement lands him in and out of trouble.

Bing Crosby narrates the coming-of-age tale that made Mark Twain one of America’s best loved novelist with all of Tom’s mischief and fun. Tom catches criminals, gets the girl and carries out hijinks, all with his best friend Huckleberry Finn at his side.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: Oct 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780008439774

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, who was born Samuel L. Clemens in Missouri in 1835, wrote some of the most enduring works of literature in the English language, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc was his last completed book—and, by his own estimate, his best. Its acquisition by Harper & Brothers allowed Twain to stave off bankruptcy. He died in 1910. 

Reviews for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

[lynleys-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book would've been given to one of my brothers at some stage and it's ended up in my possession. I'm sure no one ever read it the whole time its faded spine graced the family bookshelves. I think if I'd picked it up as a kid I would've found the dialect a bit difficult. It's only after watching plenty of TV that I have an inkling as to how those boys would've actually spoken. I must've read the first part at some stage, because the scene of Tom swindling the neighbourhood boys into white washing the fence is a resonant one.Anyhow, I'm glad I read the whole thing and can't believe it never got spoilered for me. Next I'll be cracking the spine on Huckleberry Finn.

[book_in_hand · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Mark Twain read. My sister hates his books so I thought I should read one to see why. I can understand why she doesn't like his style of writing, but I rather liked it! I envy Tom's childhood, except the whole being stalked by a murderer bit. He had lots of fun and its cool that Tom's character is based on other boys Mr. Twain knew and his own childhood.

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everyone should read this book!

[dbsovereign · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lie at your peril - your guilt can trap you in a cave. A nightmare I've never been able to find my way out of.

[kimmyd76 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Why had I never read this classic before?... who knows! But i'm glad I have now read it and will move right into listening to the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

[greymowser · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very adult children's book.

[beebowallace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Seriously a great read! I remember hating this as a kid - being forced to read it - with 25+ years of experiences under my belt since I last picked up this book, it's just an amazing read. As adults, we really just need to say fuck it, let's see what kind of trouble I can get myself into more often ...

[kslade-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful story. I loved reading this one. Combines action, comedy and interesting comments.

[amkitty-511462 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven’t read this since I was a kid. Revisiting it as an adult, I have a different appreciation for the remarkable portrayal of American childhood in the mid-1800’s. For those complaining about the racism in the language, I would only say look beyond your own prejudices and recognize the talent on display and be thankful we have learned to look beyond the once accepted ideas about other races. This one will go on my list to periodically reread because it is classic Americana of a world long gone. Some of what was lost should have been kept.

[caanderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rereading classics is good however the story is ruined by the ugliness of racism hits you square in the face.

[nosborm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having read Huckleberry Finn as a child I did not comprehend Mark Twain's genius. Reading Tom Sawyer as an adult really demonstrated why he deserves his places as one of America's greatest authors. A delight to read and a book I would recommend to nearly anyone. Normally I dislike reading books to which I know the ending but even with all the information I gleaned about Tom Sawyer from popular culture this book was a surprise and treat.

[oldandnewbooksmell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a novel about a young boy growing up in the 1840s in the Mississippi River-side town of St. Petersburg, Missouri (inspired by Hannibal, Missouri where Mark Twain, the author, grew up). Tom is a smart and mischievous boy who knows how to get what he wants and gets out of trouble in very unique ways.

I will admit, it took me 27 years to read this book. In some ways I'm glad I waited, if only because of the forward Twain put in the front of the book:

"Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys and girls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account, for part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked, and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in."

I did love the energy that only a child can have that was written in this. The way that Tom and Huck would argue about varies superstitions and reason to run away (to be pirates or like Robin Hood). Twain does a tremendous job at reminding me what it's like to be a kid again. The novel also gives a view of what it was like growing up in America at that time.

It was a bit hard for me with the dialect and accents the way they were written, but it wasn't anything that softly reading aloud didn't help. That's just me being a weird silent reader.

[wyclif-371215 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Finished reading this again while the power was out on the island and I couldn't work.

I think I've read this at least five times. There are some books that are simply woven so tightly into the warp and woof of the American experience that they will always rate five stars, and this is one of them.

[caseybp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the greatest books I have ever read! It made me long to be a child again, though I was nowhere near as imaginative as Tom or Huck.

[tgraettinger_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic in every sense. Something new every time you read it.

[librarycin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This tells the story of a boy, Tom Sawyer, and his best friend, Huck Finn, and some of the adventures they get into. Some of those adventures include ghosts, haunted houses and treasure. I listened to an audio version of this one, narrated by William Dufris. The narrator was very good with amazing expressions, but my mind wandered, anyway. The one mostly couldn't hold my interest. Because of that, I missed a lot, so initially, it almost felt like these were short stories, rather than a novel. A lot of the same characters did return later, and I think storylines were picked up again later, but it was hard to connect everything because I just hadn't focused enough. However, the parts of the book that I did catch, I thought were cute. And, I have to give bonus points for the narrator, so an “o.k.” 3 stars it is.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though this book is well over a century old it still holds up! It's funny, witty, and remarkably insightful into the head of a mischievous young boy. The games, and clothes, and manners may have changed; but kids would still be easily able to relate to the games that Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn play. From pirates to adventurers, they know how to have fun with practically nothing but their imagination. And the trouble, lord these two boys know how to get in trouble and worry their families half to death. From running away, getting lost in caves, witnessing a murder and more, Tom Sawyer is the king of trouble. A must read classic!

[dougcornelius_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I was supposed to read this in college. But never did. There were more important things to do like... (never mind).It was time to make up for the mistakes of my youth and take in a classic. That the audiobook was narrated by Nick Offerman was a bonus that moved Tom Sawyer to the top of my to-read list.

[abergsman-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Borderline 3.5 stars, but not quite. Mainly because I didn't begin to truly enjoy the story until 2/3 of the way through.

This is the first time I have ever read Mark Twain, and wanted to read this as a precursor to Huck Finn. I respect Mark Twain and his influence on many popular authors. For me, this particular novel does not hold water against some of the other American greats (Steinbeck, Edgar Allen Poe, Hawthorne, Harriet Beecher Stowe, etc).

A lot can be said in regards to the portrayals of African-Americans and Native Americans in the book (particularly the character "Injun Joe"), and Tom Sawyer is often censored or banned due to the language. Without a doubt, parts of the novel were certainly uncomfortable to this modern reader. I actually appreciated this, as it gives a glimpse of what life was like--from the perspective of Mississippi River dwelling, Southern, white children--in the pre-Civil War South. Racism and all. I enjoyed the satirical approach and exaggeration to some of the customs and superstitions of that community during that time period.

Having said that, I concurrently read some of Twain's (Sam Clemens') other writings on American Indians, and it is atrocious. Product of the times or not, it left a bitter aftertaste while reading Sawyer. Hence the 3 stars.

I do feel any use of this text in school should include a discussion on racism, fear, discrimination, freedom, etc.

[chrisblocker · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I've returned to the river.A year ago I spent a weekend on the Missouri River attending a Writers Workshop. In typical Chris Blocker fashion, I thought it prudent to read something riverish. I selected Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi. Thus a new association was born and once I decided I was returning to the river, one of my first considerations was what Mark Twain book I'd read this year.I was hesitant to get into the Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn story-arc. I had a feeling I'd be underwhelmed or offended. I was leaning toward a different selection, but at the last minute, I decided to go with a classic. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer wasn't that bad—not as bad as I imagined it could be—but it certainly didn't impress me too much. Part of the issue is that Tom Sawyer feels slightly underdeveloped—ideas are used seemingly haphazardly and are recycled throughout the story. And part of the issue is that some of the novels better moments have become cliché. I recognize that Twain was likely the originator of some of these ideas—at least he was probably the prominent figure who introduced them into the American narrative. But I've seen enough Our Gang to know that children who play pirates will find treasure, children who fake death will convince everyone, and that little boys will always win a kiss from the girl of their dreams. It's not Twain's fault that his story has been resurrected repeatedly, but the familiarity minimized any sense of wonder and adventure I might have had had I come across this book 130 years ago.In a different time, this book may have had a much different impact on me. This is a strong story of adventure from a unique child-like perspective. Those who enjoy a little swashbuckling or hijinx will likely eat this story up like blackberry pie. (Why blackberry pie? I don't know. It just feels like something I'd expect from these characters.) With a different person, there would've been different results: I'm not one for adventure; I was never a child. It's a good, simple story, very much plot-driven, but I didn't see much else to it.Sadly, this book didn't hold to the river like I thought it would. There are a few mentions, a few explorations, but I have the notion that Huckleberry Finn is the more river-centric of the two. Will I explore the river someday with Huck? I don't know. I probably should, but I have the same hesitance I did with Tom Sawyer. Maybe I'll leave it up to the river. If it's able to pull me back another time, I'll consider it.

[leandrod-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One point less for mocking Christianity

[jon1lambert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the books that I thought I had read but hadn't. It rushes along, adventure after adventure, capturing what it is is to be a child growing up.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd forgotten what a little trouble maker Tom was. It was a nice enjoyable read.

[dasam-5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had never read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer except in a childhood version in Golden Books or something like that. I skipped right over to read Huck Finn. While this is definitely a children's book in many ways, Twain writes in such a way that adults still enjoy Tom and his picaresque adventures, both as nostalgia for our own childhoods and because the adult voice of Twain cannot help inserting his snide commentaries on humanity.

[kaitanya64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am adding this book as one of our family read-alouds. While often read by high school students as "classic" literature, this book proved a hit with my family audience, ages 8, 14,17 and middle aged.
It is funny and suspenseful and the characters are vivid, all requirements for making it on our read aloud picks.

[christopher.kyle1706 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really doubted this book would be a thriller, or energetic to read. This book makes you want to fall asleep while reading it. I am so sorry, but this book had so many POV'S I could not keep up. MY REVIEW; This book was a serious letdown. I thought there would be more action because it tells about a boys and his friends life in this story. NO ACTION. I liked some parts like when they were trying to find treasure and couldn't find it for like 3 chapters! No. Terrible absolutely did not like the writing. There was also different related stories to read while you finish Tom Sawyer but I decided NOT to read it.

[penguinasana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My dad read this book to me as a kid and I loved it. I had the best time re-reading it as an adult - remembering parts of the dialogue I knew by heart and enjoying the social satire bits that don't always register when you're a kid. A classic!

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My advice would be to drop whatever you're reading and read this now, before you're thirty-eight and can appreciate it but never love it.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

September 2016 reread:I had forgotten what a fun "boy's" book this is -- the mixture of childish belief in superstitions and tales & worldly wisdom is so typical of this age (~11 years old or so).

[laugal-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I re-read this every few years,this a an American classic.A must read for everyone.
I do re-read it every few summers, a classic.