The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

By: Mark Twain

Narrated by: Nick Offerman

"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.

Public Domain (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

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)

It really came to life!

Nick Offerman's natural eloquence really brought this story to life for a true Midwesterner like me who grew up next to the Mississippi. A bully great job!

Now I know why this is a classic

Good story and wonderful characters. You are brought into the world of a preteen in 1800's

Loved it

Fantastic Story much dialogue funny characters full of adventure and fun memorable characters mystery enjoyable

Don't miss this!

I recommend this book, performed by Nick Offerman to anyone! It is a classic - humerus and fun for the whole family.

Classic Story

Do yourself a favor and listen to this classic. It really took me back to how kids think, act and how much fun they have with nothing more than imagination.

Boys will be boys

Nick Offerman is a fantastic orator for the classic tail of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Perfect fit

Maybe it's just because I am a huge Nick Offerman fan, but I was so delighted throughout the entire 14 hours of this book because I knew he must've had the best time recording it. I don't know him personally, but everything I know about him suggests that he has a very deep appreciation for mischief and vocabulary, both of which Twain masters. This was an absolute delight to listen to, and I don't know that there is a better match for material and narrator.

Great work

Great narration, still a great story to listen to. Thanks Audible for putting this out for us.

down home

parks and rec alumni did a great job capturing the various characters and toggling between light hearted adventures and serious themes

Familiar favorite

The story is touching and hilarious, enriched by the tones and narration skills of Nick Offerman. I wanted to listen to it again, even as it was finished.