The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

By Mark Twain

Introduction by George Saunders
Commentary by Thomas Perry Sergeant, Bernard DeVoto, Clifton Fadiman, T. S. Eliot, and Leo Marx
 
“All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn,” Ernest Hemingway wrote. “It’s the best book we’ve had.” A complex masterpiece that spawned controversy right from the start (it was banished from the Concord library shelves in 1885), it is at heart a compelling adventure story. Huck, in flight from his murderous father, and Jim, in flight from slavery, pilot their raft through treacherous waters, surviving a crash with a steamboat and betrayal by rogues. As Norman Mailer has said, “The mark of how good Huckleberry Finn has to be is that one can compare it to a number of our best modern American novels and it stands up page for page.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Nov 1, 2000
• ISBN: 9780679642053

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, who was born Samuel L. Clemens in Missouri in 1835, wrote some of the most enduring works of literature in the English language, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc was his last completed book—and, by his own estimate, his best. Its acquisition by Harper & Brothers allowed Twain to stave off bankruptcy. He died in 1910. 

Reviews for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

[librarycin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This tells the story of a boy, Tom Sawyer, and his best friend, Huck Finn, and some of the adventures they get into. Some of those adventures include ghosts, haunted houses and treasure. I listened to an audio version of this one, narrated by William Dufris. The narrator was very good with amazing expressions, but my mind wandered, anyway. The one mostly couldn't hold my interest. Because of that, I missed a lot, so initially, it almost felt like these were short stories, rather than a novel. A lot of the same characters did return later, and I think storylines were picked up again later, but it was hard to connect everything because I just hadn't focused enough. However, the parts of the book that I did catch, I thought were cute. And, I have to give bonus points for the narrator, so an “o.k.” 3 stars it is.

[meersan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A young criminal mastermind-in-training gets into mischief with his disreputable neighborhood friends.

[infantinanivetha · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this book in my 6th grade. The story was gripping but not my favorite.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Even though this book is well over a century old it still holds up! It's funny, witty, and remarkably insightful into the head of a mischievous young boy. The games, and clothes, and manners may have changed; but kids would still be easily able to relate to the games that Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn play. From pirates to adventurers, they know how to have fun with practically nothing but their imagination. And the trouble, lord these two boys know how to get in trouble and worry their families half to death. From running away, getting lost in caves, witnessing a murder and more, Tom Sawyer is the king of trouble. A must read classic!

[dougcornelius_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I was supposed to read this in college. But never did. There were more important things to do like... (never mind).It was time to make up for the mistakes of my youth and take in a classic. That the audiobook was narrated by Nick Offerman was a bonus that moved Tom Sawyer to the top of my to-read list.

[kaitanya64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am adding this book as one of our family read-alouds. While often read by high school students as "classic" literature, this book proved a hit with my family audience, ages 8, 14,17 and middle aged.
It is funny and suspenseful and the characters are vivid, all requirements for making it on our read aloud picks.

[dasam-5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had never read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer except in a childhood version in Golden Books or something like that. I skipped right over to read Huck Finn. While this is definitely a children's book in many ways, Twain writes in such a way that adults still enjoy Tom and his picaresque adventures, both as nostalgia for our own childhoods and because the adult voice of Twain cannot help inserting his snide commentaries on humanity.

[jon1lambert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the books that I thought I had read but hadn't. It rushes along, adventure after adventure, capturing what it is is to be a child growing up.

[nx74defiant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'd forgotten what a little trouble maker Tom was. It was a nice enjoyable read.

[unclebob53703 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Always preferred this to Huckleberry Finn--which puts me on the wrong side of just about everybody else's opinion. If the ending in the caves doesn't get your pulse racing, you probably don't have one. Found a beautiful like-new copy of the Heritage Edition, with color plates and numerous illustrations by Norman Rockwell.

[leandrod-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One point less for mocking Christianity

[maxernst11 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Cruciaal is de ontmoeting met Huckleberry Finn. Vinnige dialogen; Mooie impressie van jongensachtige gevoelens en leefwereld, genre Witte van Zichem (Claes is duidelijk maar een doordrukje van Twain). Toch maar matig boek.

[anagarika · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think Mark Twain is overrated.

[penguinasana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My dad read this book to me as a kid and I loved it. I had the best time re-reading it as an adult - remembering parts of the dialogue I knew by heart and enjoying the social satire bits that don't always register when you're a kid. A classic!

[christopher.kyle1706 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really doubted this book would be a thriller, or energetic to read. This book makes you want to fall asleep while reading it. I am so sorry, but this book had so many POV'S I could not keep up. MY REVIEW; This book was a serious letdown. I thought there would be more action because it tells about a boys and his friends life in this story. NO ACTION. I liked some parts like when they were trying to find treasure and couldn't find it for like 3 chapters! No. Terrible absolutely did not like the writing. There was also different related stories to read while you finish Tom Sawyer but I decided NOT to read it.

[foof2you · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Never read this during all my school years so I thought I had to give it a shot. I was surprised. I found the book to be rather enjoyable and unlike many other "classics" that fail to live up to the hype. A great story and definitely a classic.

[kimmyd76 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Why had I never read this classic before?... who knows! But i'm glad I have now read it and will move right into listening to the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

[benkaboo-51322 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Things I liked:

The characters voice and train of thought frequently made me smile. The way his mind came up against big moral issues like slavery and murder and things like that were provocative, making me wonder about my own rational for strongly held beliefs.

Things I thought could be improved:

The section at the end when Tom Sawyer was doing all manner of ridiculous rituals as part of the attempt to free Jim I thought stretched credibility of Huck or Jim going along with him. Even with the reveal at the end that Jim was really free anyway I found it tiresome after a while. While I don't mind the idea of Tom trying to add some romance to the escape, I think it definitely could be have been edited down to about a third of what it was.

Highlight: When Jim finds Huck again after being lost on the raft. Huck plays a trick on him to convince him it was all a dream. Jim falls for it but then catches on and shames Huck for playing with his emotions. That made both the character of Jim and Huck sing for me.

[she_climber · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I believe that the Notice provided at the very onset of the book (Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot.) pretty much sums of the book. I did not find a motive, a moral, nor a plot but nevertheless found the book somewhat enjoyable. I kept wanting the book to get where it was going, only to remind myself that it wasn't going anywhere and like a raft on the Mississippi I was just going to have to sit back and enjoy the ride. I cringed at the racism in the book, but understood that's just the way it was back then and was fascinated by how people could have once (and sadly some still) think the way they did. Overall the book was just too slow-paced for me, but I found myself several times thinking that I needed (and should have previously) read Tom Sawyer.

[libraryclerk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Took me years to finally get around to reading this book. It was a fun and sad adventure. It told of racial pregudices that are even around today.

[spounds_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure if it was the narration or the subject matter or a dated book, but eh..... Won't make my favorite list.That being said, the ending did surprise me and I liked that part.

[overthemoon_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Unable to put up with the "sivilizing" of the Widow Douglas, beaten by his alcoholic father, Huck escapes to an island where he finds his old friend and former slave Jim. Together they set off downriver on a raft, sleeping by day, sailing by night, what seems to Huck the perfect life. With his (and Tom's) hare-brained schemes, very funny and enjoyable, something that passed me by during my childhood (though I did read Tom Sawyer and remember it well), and extremely well written.

[joles_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is a reason this book is a classic. Twain's tale of Huck Finn leaving his home and traveling with the slave Jim up the Mississippi is endearing. Not only is it telling of the time period, but it also tells the story of a kid and the mischief a young boy can get into.

[hklibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book I read was an older version than this, complete with nice black and white sketches. Dealt with some VERY grown up issues--drunkenness, child abuse, gambling, runaways, etc. Kind of a dark humor to the whole thing.

[hollyinnnv · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I truly enjoyed reading HF for the second time. I first read it in high school. However, I found it more compelling and humorous as an adult reader. Painting a vivid picture of all of the quirky characters, Twain brings such an air of authenticity to his story. Huckleberry is my favorite character. When he attempted to logically make decisions, I had to laugh because I could see my son thinking in the same way. But I especially appreciated the way Twain shows the conflict in Huck’s mind over the issue of slavery. It feels authentic.

[dorthys-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful American classic that deals with the issues of the antebellum south, harsh and overbearing parents, and the challenges of an active and growing boy. Huck finds adventure where ever he goes. I would recommend this as a read for all children in the 7th and 8th grade. It is timeless.

[jaystew · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very important American novel that covers various important issues this country has faced, many of which are still relevant today. A book that mocks racism and shows the relationship between a slave and a lower class white boy who try to escape their respective lifestyles by sailing down the Mississippi river, out of Missouri and into freedom. A fairly entertaining fictional read that everyone should take a look at eventually.

[morley4me · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is indeed a classic. It is an adventure that is about imperfect kids having a grand time and using their imagination. I think Children and adults alike understand Tom and Huck's struggle with life

[drruth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny, poignant, wise, and often misunderstood, Twain's book remains a great and profound work of art. Nevertheless, it needs some explanation for modern readers who need some sense of context in order to appreciate fully the significance of Jim's role in the novel and irony implicit in his name.

[6boysandme · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Good old Huck Finn sets out on an adventure and helps runaway slave Jim along the way. We see him battle with his conscience in trying to figure out right and wrong in a world where men are valued based on the color of their skin. It's Mark Twain for heaven sake, so of course it's brilliant.Quote: "Well I tried the best I could to kinder soften if up somehow for myself, by saying I was brung up wicked, and so I warn't so much to blame; but something inside of me kept saying, "There was the Sunday school, you could a gone to it; and if you'd a done it they'd a learnt you, there..."