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5.24k reviews for:
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Case Study in Critical Controversy
Mark Twain, James D. Phelan, Gerald Graff
3.51 AVERAGE
5.24k reviews for:
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Case Study in Critical Controversy
Mark Twain, James D. Phelan, Gerald Graff
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-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:
No
A really enjoyable read, if slow in some sections. The beginning of each new story thread or plot thread has trouble finding its footing but once it does it’s really really fun. Huck Finn is surrounded by people who are morally worse than he and he just goes along with most of it, for better and for worse. It is racist in its depictions of black people being superstitious and the way they speak is almost unintelligible at times, but the characters underneath that are more morally enjoyable and engaging than any white character in the book. Jim especially was a standout, I kept on wanting to see more of him! It is good, but the racist depictions coupled with the slow movements of the plot at times and dragged out conversations that seem to go nowhere really pull it down for me. It is a classic though, and the enjoyment I got can’t be denied
This is my third try and I just can’t with this book. Huck is funny and I understand that Mark Twain created some good intention with this book. People smarter than me have said so. But I couldn’t see through the issues. The way Jim is written (or perhaps it’s just the audio version performance) feels too minstrel. Plus the amount of times the N word is used. It is too much for me to see through.
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery
Upper Elementary # 3 - Huckleberry Finn does not like his civilized way of life living with Widow Douglas. When his drunk father kidnaps him and locks him up in a cabin, he is sure he will die there. However, he escapes on a canoe he found, and takes off down the river. He meets Jim, the escaped slave of Miss Watson. The two of them head down the river in search of Jim's family. They meet up with a couple of two con artists who end up selling Jim to a local plantation owner. When Huck arrives at the plantation to rescue Jim, he is surprised to find out that it is the aunt and uncle of his friend Tom Sawyer, and they think Huck is Tom. When Tom really arrives, the two of them create a wild plan to free Jim. It does not go according to plan, and Tom is injured. It all ends up alright because Miss Watson died, and in her will she gave Jim his freedom.
I only read this to give context to Percival Everett’s upcoming book James. I do not understand why this is considered a classic of American literature given the racist language and attitudes so prevalent in the work. Before reading this, I had the impression that Mark Twain was a smart guy with progressive attitudes - that turns out not to have been the case. Hope it was at least useful prep for Everett’s new book. Will see in a few weeks…