Joseph Andrews And Shamela

Nov 24, 2025 6:09 PM

Author:Henry Fielding

Fielding's satire on Richardsons's Pamela has survived its model in popularity for obvious reasons: the combination of breezy comedy, knockabout farce, lively narrative and vigorous satire is irresistible. But above all, it is the character of Parson Adams who continues to breathe life into the story, imbued as he is with so much of Fielding's own generosity, humanity and warm-heartedness. Conceived as a literary parody, Joseph Andrews (1742) rises triumphantly above its original purpose as a great novel in its own right. It is paired with the splendidly bawdy (Shamela 1741), another skit on Pamela. The explanatory notes are by Professor A. R. Humphreys. The Everyman edition is recognised as the definitive edition.

Reviews

'A humdinger...a masterly tale told with clarity and verve'

—— The Times

'The best fantasy inspires genuine involvement. David Gemmell's novels do just that'

—— Interzone

Malouf is a lyrical story-writer, making music of long, clause-enriched sentences, yet one of his strengths is his ability to manage contrasts

—— Sydney Morning Herald

A lively thriller of sexual politics and morality. Elton's best book yet

—— Elle

Addictive

—— Metro

Praise for Lisa Jewell

—— -

Terrific

—— Sunday Times

The best romantic comedy we've read in ages

—— Company

Tackles serious issues with humour - proving that chick-lit can be intelligent, interesting and huge fun

—— Sunday Express

A triumph

—— Hello

Top marks. Fantastic

—— Heat

Lovely

—— Daily Telegraph

Moving and intelligent

—— Independent

Magnetic, unpretentious and bursting with one-liners

—— Cosmopolitan

Jewell's readability and emotional intelligence make her the cream of pop fiction

—— Glamour

Fans of chick-lit will understand when I say that this is a book you simply disappear into

—— Sunday Telegraph

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