Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

6 reviews

thecriticalreader's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

I somehow made it through the American public school system and college without having The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as my assigned reading. I’ve never had a desire to read it, but I saw that Percival Everett recently came out with James, a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. I thought I should read the source material it’s referencing before starting that book.

 

Now, I’m normally someone who vehemently defends classics against charges that they’re boring, but I have no defense for Huckleberry Finn. I found this to be an excruciating read. The plot is a bunch of episodic nonsense strung together with lies, incredibly unbelievable coincidences, and general shitty behavior. I didn’t like the characters or the satire. There were a lot of scenes I found to be straight-up unpleasant in their casual violence (also, lots of animal abuse!). Throughout most of the book, I liked Jim’s character and thought that he was actually supposed to be written to subvert racial stereotypes, but by the end, I realized that was just wishful thinking. The racism in this book is a product of its time, sure, but I think we’ve reached the point where we can let this book go as a beloved American classic. 

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Slavery, Racial slurs, and Child abuse

scoobygirl93's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Medical content, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Gun violence, Violence, Slavery, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail

paigeinabook's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Gaslighting, Cursing, Child abuse, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Racial slurs, Sexism, Slavery, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Trafficking, and Violence

c_lizziebeth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny slow-paced

1.25

Good riddance. A Few funny lines, reflective moments, and good discussions were not worth the rest of the book being nonsensical, boring, and Ridiculously Racist. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Racism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Physical abuse

bookishbeccahale's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Racism, and Slavery

annapox's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Drug use, Ableism, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

Minor: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Antisemitism