The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Among the many versions of Twain's novels and stories, this two-cassette abridgment stands out for Garrick Hagon's appealing storytelling. Hagon lays out a well selected sequence of scenes and familiar episodes in an intimate performance. His narrative rhythm is exceptional, creating a style that draws listeners in and holds their attention. Characters are given good vocal color, but never overdone. Aunt Polly, Tom, Huck, and all the characters become part of a wonderful whole. A great choice to introduce Twain and enjoy a particularly fine performance. R.F.W. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine


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. K.M.D. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine


Jim Weiss is a wonderful storyteller, expansive and droll, with a gentle, ironic voice and a fine sense of timing. He also excels at character sketches, and listeners will be amused by his Tom, Aunt Polly, Becky, and Huck, among others. This production is a "storyteller's version" of the children's classic, though, so listeners should expect to move quickly from whitewashing the fence, to meeting Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, to the graveyard scene. Weiss chooses only the highlights in this hour-long version. Though such brevity could distress loyal readers of the original, in the capable hands of Weiss, it may be a good way to tempt young listeners to read the book on their own. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine