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A review by thedailydiva
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
This is a hard book to review.
I’ll start with this book is NOT meant for me.
Picked this up in anticipation of reading Percival Everett’s James, needed to refresh my memory. I remembered nothing of this story, even though I’ve seen cartoon versions, even the Disneyfied adaptation with Courtney B Vance as Jim.
This review is a fresh look. The book, while not banned, has been challenged numerous times and has been removed from libraries and from many school curriculums. One of the reasonings is the use of the word, ‘Ni@@er’! In some more current editions, they’ve edited the use of the word to ‘slave’ or even in some asinine editions to ‘ROBOT’! I have thoughts on this, but I digress…
I have to remind myself that not only is this book meant for younger audiences, it was also ‘allegedly’ meant as satire. Ok. As a young readers book, this book does well at introducing the pre-Civil War era and the possibility of change represented by Huck and his relationship with Jim. As satire, hah, we see how well that’s aged… 😜
In truth, I did not enjoy this book. As I opened with, this book is not for me. And the people it IS for are attempting to ban or revision it. All I kept thinking, I am uninterested in the ‘adventure’ and so much more interested in Jim’s pov! I’m so glad to be able to dive into Everett’s reimagining.
I’ll start with this book is NOT meant for me.
Picked this up in anticipation of reading Percival Everett’s James, needed to refresh my memory. I remembered nothing of this story, even though I’ve seen cartoon versions, even the Disneyfied adaptation with Courtney B Vance as Jim.
This review is a fresh look. The book, while not banned, has been challenged numerous times and has been removed from libraries and from many school curriculums. One of the reasonings is the use of the word, ‘Ni@@er’! In some more current editions, they’ve edited the use of the word to ‘slave’ or even in some asinine editions to ‘ROBOT’! I have thoughts on this, but I digress…
I have to remind myself that not only is this book meant for younger audiences, it was also ‘allegedly’ meant as satire. Ok. As a young readers book, this book does well at introducing the pre-Civil War era and the possibility of change represented by Huck and his relationship with Jim. As satire, hah, we see how well that’s aged… 😜
In truth, I did not enjoy this book. As I opened with, this book is not for me. And the people it IS for are attempting to ban or revision it. All I kept thinking, I am uninterested in the ‘adventure’ and so much more interested in Jim’s pov! I’m so glad to be able to dive into Everett’s reimagining.