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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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Summary
"Being paid to perform such a gratifying activity as reading Mark Twain aloud felt powerfully akin to Tom Sawyer hoodwinking other boys into paying him for the privilege of whitewashing a fence. Let's keep that between us." (Narrator Nick Offerman)
With The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, not even Twain could have known that when he introduced readers to the inhabitants of the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, he would also be introducing two characters - one a clever and mischievous scamp, and the other a carefree, innocent ragamuffin - whose stories would ultimately shape the course of American literature. But whereas its sequel and companion piece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, would harken an end to childhood, the story of Tom Sawyer is one that depicts the excitement and adventure of boyhood along the Mississippi.
Revisit this enduring classic and you will be struck not only by Twain's skill at capturing a time and place so vividly but also by his uncanny ability to crystallize those oftentimes tumultuous and conflicting emotions that a child experiences at the precipice of adulthood: a longing to be free from the rules and obligations of adults while enjoying the laxity inherent in childhood; a love of all things macabre, like blood oaths, cemetery cures, and haunted houses, that reveal a true innocence - an unawareness of real-life consequences and one's own mortality; and the pangs of guilt when knowing the right thing to do and doing the right thing appear to be at odds.
A natural storyteller and raconteur in his own right - just listen to Paddle Your Own Canoe and Gumption - actor, comedian, carpenter, and all-around manly man Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) brings his distinctive baritone and a fine-tuned comic versatility to Twain's writing. In a knockout performance, he doesn't so much as read Twain's words as he does rejoice in them, delighting in the hijinks of Tom - whom he lovingly refers to as a "great scam artist" and "true American hero" - while deftly delivering the tenderness and care Twain gave to his own characters.
Critic reviews
"Offerman's Illinois-raised voice and actor's talent suit him ideally to channel Mark Twain and his archetypal American Puck (that "P" isn't a typo), who played pirates with an archetypal American Huck, conned his pals into whitewashing the fence, fell in love with Becky Thatcher and showed up alive at his own funeral." (The New York Times)
"Nick Offerman reading Tom Sawyer is just as charming as you’d hope." (The Verge)
"There’s something about his wry Midwestern merriment that aspires to Twainishness." (Men’s Journal)
What listeners say about The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-08-20
Brilliant
Mark Twain and Ron Swanson is a pairing that just works. Get this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rainbow Cool Stuff
- 25-09-22
Great - if a little of its time
There are some wince inducing racial terms that do not sit right with 2022 ears but of course this was not written with a 21st century pen
The above aside this is a fantastic book. I am 58 and although this was written primarily as a children’s story the author in the preface says that he hopes men and women can read it and remember the children they once were and yes there is an element of that
Mostly though the enjoyment comes from a true adventure story well written, well paced with interesting and believable characters that you find you care about. It has some humour, as well as warmth and drama
I dimly remembered something about painting a fence but nothing else and this really is a great read. I am going to read the adventures of Huckleberry Finn next
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ben E
- 14-02-17
a classic for a reason
Would you consider the audio edition of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to be better than the print version?
nick offermans performance adds a new depth and tone to the book that lets you relax into it and lets it surround you rather than just reading it
Who was your favorite character and why?
tom of course, theres no adventures with out him
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
through out the tale you feel a strong bond to tom and only wish the best for him
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 22-12-20
optional??????
Great to experience another Twain classic. Did Huckleberry Finn in my school days so nice to fatten the tale.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Kunde
- 06-10-22
Great book!
I loved it so much, the book was amazing to the very end. All the way I was captured and couldn’t stop listening.
I advise the book to every adventurous person. I think the book should be allowed to be read in an age between 8 and15.
While reading the reader will often recognise themselves in the characters.
Max,12 years old
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Reliant.Robin
- 03-07-23
A Child's Adventure
An enjoyable performance from Nick Offerman. Some outdated language and attitudes but if you can get past that then a fun child's adventure.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca
- 22-03-18
Awesome!
So glad I chose this version! Never read AOTS before- loved it! Will most likely listen to it again soon.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Avi
- 02-12-19
I think Mark Twain would appreciate the reading
it's a great book. I've read it a few times. hearing it was different.
Nick Offerman is a great narrator, but I would have preferred more intonation. my kids did not connect to the narration. I struggled, but I really love the book, the characters and commentary. Mr. Offerman's grows on you... or maybe I learned to hear the nuances better.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jimmy Cooper
- 02-08-22
Timeless classic
Great story, captures the spirit of boyhood adventure. The narrator delivers the vibrant energy of Mark Twain's rich dialogue.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julia
- 11-01-23
brilliant narration
hilarious and exciting, really captivating narration. would recommend. listened at 3x speed as talking slow
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