Reviews

Garrick Hagon's delivery of this classic by Mark Twain captures the listener early on with his portrayal of the excitable Aunt Polly. He adjusts his tones smoothly from the role of the narrator of the story to performing the characters' dialogue in a robust manner. Hagon shows all sides of Tom-the clever way he gets other boys to do his chores, his nervousness when he attempts to woo Becky Thatcher, and his bravery when he takes charge of a lost youth in a dangerous cave. Although commonly regarded as a children's story, this classic has themes of race relations and social commentary that will stand out for mature listeners. - Maine Portland, AudioFile

Huckleberry Finn may be the greater book, but Tom Sawyer has always been more widely read. Moreover, it is a book that can be enjoyed equally by both children and adults. Twain, who called it a "hymn" to boyhood, would be thrilled that in narrator Patrick Fraley his hymn has found its most passionate voice. Many good unabridged readings of Tom Sawyer have already been recorded, but most are simply that: readings. Fraley's performance is something more; in attempting to bring each character to life, his enthusiasm for the material is so palpable that the mere sound of his voice commands attention. A can't-miss addition to all libraries, including those that have other Tom Sawyer programs. Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.