The Works of Henry Fielding, vol. 12

A lively anthology gathers some of the most playful and pointed pieces Henry Fielding ever penned. In this volume you’ll find a short farce, a mock‑tragedy about the legendary Tom Thumb, a biting dramatic satire, a witty essay on conversation, and a handful of shorter sketches that capture the pulse of early‑18th‑century London. The collection shines with the author’s characteristic blend of humor, social observation, and brisk dialogue, offering listeners a taste of the period’s theatrical and literary chatter.

The farce opens in the cramped quarters of a landlady’s house, where the penniless playwright Luckless bargains with the sharp‑tongued Mrs Moneywood over unpaid debts and the promise of a new play. Their repartee crackles with self‑deprecating jokes and a glimpse of the chaotic world of actors, booksellers, and eager audiences. Alongside this, the tragic parody of Tom Thumb and the satirical “Pasquin” lampoon contemporary politics, while the essay on conversation showcases Fielding’s clever commentary on manners—making the volume a rich, entertaining portrait of a writer at work.