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facelikefizz's review against another edition
5.0
What lovely books. Tom Sawyer was the easier read. Basically a collection of short stories that were on the whole fun and whimsical; tales of an idyllic childhood.
Huckleberry Finn had it's light moments (the dog with the rat at the funeral had me laughing for ages!) but was generally darker. The themes of slavery and fraud gave it more substance than the earlier book. It's also interesting to see how Huck's character develops. In the first book both boys are just out for fun and adventure. In the second Huck struggles with right and wrong (unlike Tom who is still just out for a good time).
Sometimes difficult to read as much of it is in dialect (particularly in Huckleberry Finn) and I had to look up a number of terms in a dictionary or online. But highly recommended nonetheless.
Huckleberry Finn had it's light moments (the dog with the rat at the funeral had me laughing for ages!) but was generally darker. The themes of slavery and fraud gave it more substance than the earlier book. It's also interesting to see how Huck's character develops. In the first book both boys are just out for fun and adventure. In the second Huck struggles with right and wrong (unlike Tom who is still just out for a good time).
Sometimes difficult to read as much of it is in dialect (particularly in Huckleberry Finn) and I had to look up a number of terms in a dictionary or online. But highly recommended nonetheless.
beautifully_bound_bibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Took me a while to read this book... but I thought it was a great story about trying to find yourself in a world where not everything makes sense. We all have our silent struggles and even our public ones. It was awesome to read about the south and I loved Twain's use of dialect in this book. That was probably my favorite part.
trotzdem's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
val_inthebooks's review against another edition
As a 15-year-old German I have to say that the English in this book that is about 150 years old was difficult to understand for me. It was taxing. I guess I'm going to read that in my mother tongue.
rosekk's review against another edition
3.0
I can see why this book became famous. It's funny in places, and it does capture the sensation of childhood games pretty well. It's a bit hard to read now though; it gives away it's age in uncomfortable ways sometimes, particularly with the odd bits of racism that sneak into the text, unremarked by the characters because they were written in an era where that was standard.
greenrain's review against another edition
4.0
Huckleberry Finn deserves 5 stars. Mark Twain makes his point about society in a roundabout way that is both funny and powerful. Everyone should read this at least once.
lorimichelekelley's review against another edition
5.0
Audible version: A teacher read this book to me when I was in 5th grade. I read it to my kids when they were growing up. And since I just read Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks, which is apparently a modern day version of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, I figured I had to read it again, and what better way than by listening - the way stories are meant to be told! I don't see the connection between the two books, but no matter. I was happy to frolic by the river and in the caves with Tom and Huck for awhile again. Offerman does a decent job of narrating. At first I wasn't impressed, but as it went, I have to say, it was perfect.
john_pascoe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“I do not wish any reward but to know I have done the right thing.”- Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn.
Off the Mississippi shores in St Petersburg, Missouri, United States of America before The Civil War, schoolboy protagonist Tom Sawyer would rather play hooky than attend school and receives the “lickings” from Aunt Polly. Tom “by and by” befriends the local outcast and son of a drunkard, Huckleberry Finn.
Despite his apprehension for schooling, Tom is rather clever and gets away with many mischiefs. One instance of this is when Tom cons neighbourhood boys into whitewashing the fence surrounding Aunt Polly’s house when he was supposed to do it. “I never did see the beat of that boy.” – Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn
Huckleberry Finn later picks up the slack and recounts his adventures of travelling down the river with a runaway slave, encountering a family embroiled in a feud, two scoundrels acting as if royalty, and Aunt Polly who mistakes him for Tom Sawyer.
Mark Twain communicates, through Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn, that one does not need go to school to make a positive change; “I never let my schooling interfere with my education.” – Mark Twain. This book has been “banned” for racial slurs and general racist themes but this serves an important role – showing history and the injustices of the times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Classism
Minor: Racism
mcsayegh's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read, especially once you get into the southern vernacular.