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mmcloe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I somehow managed to avoid this in my American high school education but I'm glad that I'm able to encounter this book for the first time with a fairly critical and practiced eye.
I have a lot of respect for Twain's almost-anthropological approach to depicting dialect (though Jim's was way too over the top sometimes) and the odd little ins and outs of a rapidly shifting American society/understanding of childhood. I think this novel is a serious benchmark in ushering in of a new mode of American prose distinct from the high Romanticism of the books which came earlier.
Twain's attempt at being not racist towards Jim provides an incredibly illustrative example (intentional or otherwise) of how Blackness is (mis)represented through the narrative force of white writing. I'd be interested to see a novel written from Jim's perspective.
I have a lot of respect for Twain's almost-anthropological approach to depicting dialect (though Jim's was way too over the top sometimes) and the odd little ins and outs of a rapidly shifting American society/understanding of childhood. I think this novel is a serious benchmark in ushering in of a new mode of American prose distinct from the high Romanticism of the books which came earlier.
Twain's attempt at being not racist towards Jim provides an incredibly illustrative example (intentional or otherwise) of how Blackness is (mis)represented through the narrative force of white writing. I'd be interested to see a novel written from Jim's perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death and Violence
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
2.75
Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Author: Mark Twain
Genre: Classic
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: December 1884
T H R E E • W O R D S
Satiric • Mature • Colourful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in the South pre-civil war, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the story of Huck Finn's escape from an abusive father struggling with alcoholism, and his adventurous travels down the Mississippi with runaway slave Jim. It explores themes of identity and race, of racism and freedom, of right and wrong.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I have a complicated relationship with classics, where I want to read them all, but rarely get much enjoyment out of them. It was time for me to give another classic a go, this time The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the experience wasn't all that enjoyable. Oftentimes, I couldn't get passed a lot of the language, and some of the over-the-top scenes. I didn't find myself absorbed in the story and passages often felt long-winded and drawn out. I think it is safe to say classics are definitely not my jam, but chances are I'll continue to pick them up every so often.
What I will say is there is definitely value to this book in a historical context, making in an important book for readers. I am convinced my experience would have been different if this had been assigned reading to dissect and discuss, as opposed to picking it up for the simple pleasure of reading.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• classic lovers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I couldn't bear to think about it; and yet, somehow, I couldn't think about nothing else."
"If you tell the truth you do not need a good memory!"
Author: Mark Twain
Genre: Classic
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: December 1884
T H R E E • W O R D S
Satiric • Mature • Colourful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Set in the South pre-civil war, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn tells the story of Huck Finn's escape from an abusive father struggling with alcoholism, and his adventurous travels down the Mississippi with runaway slave Jim. It explores themes of identity and race, of racism and freedom, of right and wrong.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I have a complicated relationship with classics, where I want to read them all, but rarely get much enjoyment out of them. It was time for me to give another classic a go, this time The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the experience wasn't all that enjoyable. Oftentimes, I couldn't get passed a lot of the language, and some of the over-the-top scenes. I didn't find myself absorbed in the story and passages often felt long-winded and drawn out. I think it is safe to say classics are definitely not my jam, but chances are I'll continue to pick them up every so often.
What I will say is there is definitely value to this book in a historical context, making in an important book for readers. I am convinced my experience would have been different if this had been assigned reading to dissect and discuss, as opposed to picking it up for the simple pleasure of reading.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• classic lovers
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"I couldn't bear to think about it; and yet, somehow, I couldn't think about nothing else."
"If you tell the truth you do not need a good memory!"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Slavery, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny
neina's review against another edition
The rampant use of the n-word was very jarring to read, plus the characters were not likeable enough (at that part in the story) for me to be invested and finish the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
ivassavi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence
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