"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain
I gave this book: 3 out of 5 stars
General thoughts
I found myself constantly having to force my way through this book. The story wasn't the problem, rather the writing style. Most middle school or high school students have read this book for a class. I read it in middle school and remember thinking it was good. Now that I've read it 15 years later, I find myself struggling. I can deal with a little southern speak, such as what's in "To Kill a Mockingbird," but the broken English in Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" I found was just too much for me.
Book synopsis
Huckleberry Finn finds himself floating down the Missouri River with a runaway slave, Jim. Along the way, they get into a few scrapes, but mainly make their trip an adventure. The book explores the difference between races before the Civil War, but also examines identity. There are a few times you can see Huck really struggling to find himself and who he will become.
3 things I liked about the book
• The adventures had to be my favorite part. I enjoyed hearing about what Huck would be getting himself into and wondering what would come along next.
• The relationship between Huck and Jim. Seeing as Jim was a runaway slave, there were many times Huck could have turned him in for a hefty reward, but he didn't out of respect for his friend and the friendship they were forming.
• The outrageous ideas of Tom Sawyer. He doesn't just go for the simple, rather for the ridiculous. Once again, this made me wonder what he could possibly come up with next.
My favorite part
Once again, my
favorite part is the end. I liked the outcome for Jim. However, I would have liked to know if him being set free also included his family, because one without the other wouldn't be ideal.
My least favorite part
The Duke and King. I was not a fan of their storyline. I would have preferred more of a story about Huck and Jim's adventures. I didn't really think their storyline improved the book.
My favorite character
Tom Sawyer was my favorite character. I know he was only in maybe a third of the book, but I enjoy his antics; he keeps you on your toes.
Would I recommend this book?
I'm really not sure. I go back and forth on that. If you can stand to read broken English, then this book may be for you. I will probably encourage my kids to some day read it since it describes a different time in America's history, but other than that, I probably wouldn't go out talking non-stop about why the book should be read.
“After supper she got out her book and learned me about Moses and the
Bulrushers and I was in a sweat to find out all about him; but by and by
she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time; so
then I didn't care no more about him, because I don't take no stock in
dead people.”
-Mark Twin, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"
My
next book will be "Alice in Wonderland."
