Un barco, que navega rumbo a Guinea en busca de esclavos, naufraga a causa de una impotente tormenta. Toda la tripulación desaparece, salvo un hombre, Robinson Crusoe, que consigue alcanzar la costa de una isla desierta, sólo frecuentada por antropófagos. Durante veintiocho años cultiva la tierra, cría ganado y afronta su soledad hasta que salva de los caníbales a Viernes, que se convierte en su fiel compañero.
A foundling of mysterious parentage brought up by Mr Allworthy on his country estate, Tom Jones is deeply in love with the seemingly unattainable Sophia Western, the beautiful daughter of the neighbouring squire – though he sometimes succumbs to the charms of the local girls. But when his amorous escapades earn the disapproval of his benefactor, Tom is banished to make his own fortune. Sophia, meanwhile, is determined to avoid an arranged marriage to Allworthy’s scheming nephew and escapes from her rambunctious father to follow Tom to London.