Monday, July 28, 2008

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is by Mark Twain. The companion piece to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, this book continues the tale of Huck Finn as he escapes civilization and floats down the Mississippi River on a raft with the runaway slave Jim. The dialect in this book can be overwhelming for modern readers, but it is well worth the effort. While this book is every bit as anti-slavery as Uncle Tom's Cabin, it is less pointed in its critique. Huck really struggles with what he believes in his heart and what he has been taught to believe. This work is a must read historical fiction classic. It does use the "N" word as it was used at the time and is full of examples of racial bigotry and hatred. A sometimes daunting, but exceptional read.

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.

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