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sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
4.0
"Hain't we got all the fools in town on our side? And hain't that a big enough majority in any town?”
I knew Twain could be funny, I didn’t knew he could be this good in questioning prejudice.
Strange that it should be one of most challenged books on racist grounds. It is actually quite anti-racist.
The criticism comes because of language. There is frequent use of big 'N' word and Jim is often referred to as if he is a sort of property.. but both were commonly use words in Finn's time, the monster won't go away if I shut my eyes. And Finn lacks sophistication or education to check the language he picks up.
What makes it more special to me is that he makes a white and a black kid best friends in Jim and Finn. Finn’s difficult childhood makes it easier for him to relate to Jim. He is not above apologizing to Jim, or breaking law in order to rescue him. Given Finn’s upbringing away from secure white environment, his dialect came to be a mix of dialects spoken by Black and White people. Twain manages to do all this without making a big noise about how big a thing he is doing.
And this was years before Conrad was doubting black people's ‘humanity’ (Heart of Darkness).
Even Twain’s stated theme has to do nothing with racism. It is supposed to be development of one’s moral values. Finn’s moral sense was developed away from school and religion. “A sound heart” Twain once said about the book, “is a surer guide than an ill trained conscience.” While Finn is not able to do away with socially imposed values, he rather chooses to go along with his heart.
“All right, then, I’ll go to the hell.”
Twain repeatedly questions the established social beliefs. First, he makes you feel sorry for a white kid and emotionally support his escape from an abusive parent, then he throws at you a similar escape of a black kid from slavery which is supposed to be illegal. Despite Finn’s love for his friend, Tom, Finn think that later would consider helping Jim's escape as wrong – given his educational and religious upbringing.
“I know what you’ll say. You’ll say it’s dirty, low down business; but what if it is? I’m low down; and I’m a-going to steal him, and I want you keep mum and not let on. Will you?”
His eyes lit up and he says: “I’ll HELP you steal him!”
raspberrythriller's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
chl0beau's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Having not read Tom Sawyer I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Following the trials and tribulations of Huck Finn is reminiscent of at times a troublesome teenager and others profound.
I enjoyed reading of his relationship with former slave Jim but wish this relationship was given more depth sometimes the conversations and situations became a little repetitive.
I sped through the first half of the book and found it humourous and a light hearted read however the last half, most notably the plan to break Jim free dragged and became harder to enjoy. I felt there wasn’t much happening in the second half of the novel compared to the first half which was jam packed with action.
I still really enjoyed this book and is a good introduction to classics.
I enjoyed reading of his relationship with former slave Jim but wish this relationship was given more depth sometimes the conversations and situations became a little repetitive.
I sped through the first half of the book and found it humourous and a light hearted read however the last half, most notably the plan to break Jim free dragged and became harder to enjoy. I felt there wasn’t much happening in the second half of the novel compared to the first half which was jam packed with action.
I still really enjoyed this book and is a good introduction to classics.
arash's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.0
czemer17's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
hadleysbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
elisebrancheau's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Alcoholism
fractaltexan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A decent book. I did not expect the liberal use of the N-word, but I digress.
Overall, carrying on from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, we see a story of a boy who finds himself changing in numerous ways, especially in a world of the 1830s American South. It's still full of that childlike-adventurous boy we see a little in Tom Sawyer, but the expanding of his character is interesting. Further, the re-introduction of some of the characters from the Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an unexpected, but welcome surprise.
Overall, carrying on from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, we see a story of a boy who finds himself changing in numerous ways, especially in a world of the 1830s American South. It's still full of that childlike-adventurous boy we see a little in Tom Sawyer, but the expanding of his character is interesting. Further, the re-introduction of some of the characters from the Adventures of Tom Sawyer is an unexpected, but welcome surprise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
My Argentine literature professor is constantly referencing (American) books movies and songs that he knows better than the American students in the class which has motivated me to read several things to know like my own country’s literature better, including “the great American novel” which I somehow have never had to read before in school. On a whim I decided to listen to this book, despite the fact I literally never do that, but this has been the first audiobook I have ever completed. And I was surprised to find that Huck Finn is entertaining, especially in audio book form, though narration by a white man is somewhat uncomfortable. A thought provoking book, even as I just listened passively. I do have to say the ending was exhausting though I am not a Tom Sawyer fan. But yeah now I can say I’ve read Huck Finn