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Matthew's Reviews > The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Unabridged Classics in Audio)
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Matthew's review
bookshelves: classic, coming-of-age, historical-fiction, required-reading-high-school, 2017, completist-book-club, audio, library, read-more-than-once
Jan 08, 2013
bookshelves: classic, coming-of-age, historical-fiction, required-reading-high-school, 2017, completist-book-club, audio, library, read-more-than-once
Read 2 times. Last read July 1, 2017 to July 3, 2017.
Pretty good, kinda silly - but I think that is what Twain was going for - 3.5 stars.
Twain is the king of the Yarn. Huckleberry Finn is a collection of outlandish tales all with lies and trickery at their heart. At the time of its release I am sure it became a bible for scoundrels and mischevious teens.
This book is controversial, and even frequently banned, because of its portrayal of black slaves and the use of the N-word. I venture into shaky ground here by offering my opinion as I am white, but I don't think I will cause too much trouble. I can accept that at the time of writing the words and language were fairly normal so as a time period piece it is true. However, I can't say I have read a book that takes place in that time period that so flippantly tosses the n-word around. Regarding banning of this book - I can definitely tell why some parents might be concerned about their kids reading this book. I think a lot of it depends on how it is being taught - I would hope the teacher would put an emphasis on explaining the language being used.
Summary:
- A good book
- Kind of silly
- A handbook for deception
- An understandably controversial reflection of the prejudices at the time it was written
- Some may need guidance regarding the the way racial differences are portrayed in this book.
Twain is the king of the Yarn. Huckleberry Finn is a collection of outlandish tales all with lies and trickery at their heart. At the time of its release I am sure it became a bible for scoundrels and mischevious teens.
This book is controversial, and even frequently banned, because of its portrayal of black slaves and the use of the N-word. I venture into shaky ground here by offering my opinion as I am white, but I don't think I will cause too much trouble. I can accept that at the time of writing the words and language were fairly normal so as a time period piece it is true. However, I can't say I have read a book that takes place in that time period that so flippantly tosses the n-word around. Regarding banning of this book - I can definitely tell why some parents might be concerned about their kids reading this book. I think a lot of it depends on how it is being taught - I would hope the teacher would put an emphasis on explaining the language being used.
Summary:
- A good book
- Kind of silly
- A handbook for deception
- An understandably controversial reflection of the prejudices at the time it was written
- Some may need guidance regarding the the way racial differences are portrayed in this book.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
January 8, 2013
– Shelved
March 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
classic
March 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
coming-of-age
March 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
February 21, 2015
– Shelved as:
required-reading-high-school
July 1, 2017
–
Started Reading
July 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
2017
July 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
completist-book-club
July 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
audio
July 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
library
July 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
read-more-than-once
July 3, 2017
–
Finished Reading
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"('・c_,･` )" lewis"('・c_,･` )"
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Jul 03, 2017 12:23PM
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lewis(lover of all things) wrote: "it only shows on following"lewis(lover of all things) wrote: "it does not show here"
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I think you brought a new insight into the "N-Word vs Huckleberry" controversy. My additional thought is: Did Twain overuse the word for a reason? To demonstrate something? Or, being as it was in wide use at the time, did he just use it for "filler"?One thing I sometimes have trouble with are the reviewers who pan a book because it IS reflective of the time it was written--use of n-word, prejudice, sexism, etc. As you have shown in your review, books like these become excellent teaching tools to show young people just how far we have come as a society and species.
An excellent review of one of my favorite books!
Pamela wrote: "I think you brought a new insight into the "N-Word vs Huckleberry" controversy. My additional thought is: Did Twain overuse the word for a reason? To demonstrate something? Or, being as it was in w..."Thanks Pamela! I can see how opinions would be formed on a book like this without giving it analytical thought of the time period, authors intent, etc. However, I can also see how some wpuld be turned off by the excessive use of the n-word whether or not there is a good explanation. I imagine it is a debate/discussion that will continue for a long time to come.
I need to go back and reread Tom Sawyer - it has been a long time since I read it. Since it takes place right before this book, I think it would be telling of Twain's intent if it doesn't excessively use the n-word (which I seem to remember it doesn't).
For me, the heart of the book is Chapter 31 in which, after a lot of soul-searching, Huck risks going to Hell rather than turning in the runaway, his friend Jim. The book is written in a colloquial style, which includes the N-word, but I think Twain is trying to mock that and show that slaves are as fully human as white people.
Michael wrote: "For me, the heart of the book is Chapter 31 in which, after a lot of soul-searching, Huck risks going to Hell rather than turning in the runaway, his friend Jim. The book is written in a colloqui..."
A great moment in the book. That stood out to me as well.
Michael wrote: "For me, the heart of the book is Chapter 31 in which, after a lot of soul-searching, Huck risks going to Hell rather than turning in the runaway, his friend Jim. The book is written in a colloqui..."
I believe the Twain's main theme was just that--that slaves were people. Huck forms a serious friendship with Jim, and Jim is better for Huck than the white people -- better than his father especially.
Curious, too, as you said about Tom Sawyer. Thing with Twain is that, as clever and devious as he was, you can pretty well assume that every single word was put there on purpose.
Pamela: great point. The father is the obvious contrast, but maybe also in contrast to some other white characters, as well?
I started listening to this today while outside doing yard work. I had to quickly shut it off so I didn’t give my neighbors the wrong impression. I just finished Tom Sawyer, while it did have the n word a few times, this one was a bit much. I will continue to listen to it when I have ear buds handy
Alissa wrote: "I started listening to this today while outside doing yard work. I had to quickly shut it off so I didn’t give my neighbors the wrong impression. I just finished Tom Sawyer, while it did have the n..."Oh, wow! Yeah - probably want some ear buds for this one!
