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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
huge part of the reasoning behind this low rating is that i am simply not a fan of twain’s writing style. had to read this book for school, and i’ve thoroughly enjoyed other assigned books — huck finn is not one of them. the plot and the dynamic between huck and jim were captivating in the earlier and mid stages, and then it seems like twain lost the plot of his own book by the end. individual character development gets thrown out the window for both characters; jim gets sidelined and i find he isn’t written with the same integrity as earlier, and huck seems to forget literally every lesson he’s learned over the course of the book. yes, i understand he’s some little white boy who never learns his lesson and that may very well be the point, but it made me absolutely hate the kid by the end and i found him insufferable. not my kind of book i guess.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
🌊 Why It’s Still Worth Reading:
Twain’s sharp, satirical prose and his keen eye for hypocrisy give the novel a timeless, biting relevance. Huck’s internal struggle with the morality of helping Jim escape is a powerful, if imperfect, critique of the deeply ingrained racism of the time. There’s an undeniable thrill in the pair’s narrow escapes and the sweeping sense of freedom that the river represents.
🛑 The Hard Truth:
But it’s impossible to talk about this book without addressing its most troubling aspects, the pervasive use of the “n-word” and the often dehumanizing portrayal of Black characters. This language is not just uncomfortable but harmful, reinforcing racial stereotypes an should be upsetting to modern readers.
🤝 Negotiating the Read:
For those teaching or sharing this book, it’s essential to approach it with empathy and care. Understanding the context in which it was written is critical, but so is acknowledging the real harm that language like this can cause. This is a story that should be balanced with voices that challenge its perspective, creating space for honest, nuanced conversations about race, history, and storytelling.
💬 Final Take: A complicated read, one that demands both critical analysis and empathy.
Only read enough to get some background/context for reading James (by Percival Everett).
medium-paced
This is the 2nd time I listened to audiobook, and I like the narrator's voice. Especially when she said "Looky here", words Huck's pop often said. And I love the nigger accent, it's cute in a way. This book would be ended flat, and peaceful if only Tom Sawyer didn't show up at last! Damn that boy had a wild imagination and absolute principle! 😂
adventurous
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Though the first half is excellent, the second half seems confused, too much madness in a kind of fabricated way. Huck seems inconsistent, not always on the same level of intellect, drive, or sensibility, which makes it hard to stay interested through the weirder adventures down river. Jim, meanwhile, fades. He gets less playtime and, when playing, shows less character, a dud. Nevertheless, the relationship arc between Huck and Jim is an amazing, believable journey, and a national treasure. Though reading the ending, you'd think Twain got lost to that fact.
Alyhought this is a very historical book, I found myself bored and sick or reading the words by and by...