THE HISTORY OF TOM JONES A Foundling

British publisher Naxos has held its first narrator contest. The winner, Maurice West, an English teacher, got to narrate this cutting of Fielding's eighteenth-century ribald satire. The title character romps through many erotic adventures before finally being united with his beloved Sophia. West is always in tune with his text; he never fakes his way through long narrative sections and never lapses into repetitive cadences. Although he takes his time getting into the spirit of the narrative voice, he hits the target of his characterizations with panache every time. Other notable pluses are an excellent abridgment and Naxos's trademark musical bridges. Y.R. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE/JULY 05]