All About Books discussion

Week 23 is here, and with it The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884/5).

From the article:

"Mark Twain began his masterpiece, he said, as "a kind of companion to Tom Sawyer". Drafted in the 1870s, the first chapters of the new book continued the old mood with the sharp ironic humour of its famous opening line: "You don't know about me, without you have read a book… made by Mr Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly." But when, after a troubled hiatus, he returned to complete the manuscript in 1883, what had begun as a reminiscent celebration became a darker elegy for a lost world.
(...)
The voice of a new America resounds loud and clear from the first page to the last. Huckleberry Finn, inspired by a prequel (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) that was for boys, is a book that celebrates the lost world of childhood, the space and mystery of the midwest. Above all, it mythologises the issue – race – that had tormented the Union for so many decades."

and quoting Ernest Hemingway: "All modern literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn… It's the best book we've had. All American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since."

For the Guardian article go here

I have read this (long time ago) but liked Tom Sawyer better. I have gotten the audiobook of this though, since I think it is time to revisit it. I do like Twain's writing, and loved his The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. I almost nominated his A Tramp Abroad for our group nonfiction travel book!

I liked it better than Tom Sawer! Other books in which we disagree Leslie!
I read it in University, and saw in it more than a tale for kids; a great speech against slavery and racism with a smile on the lips ...

LauraT wrote: "I liked it better than Tom Sawer! Other books in which we disagree Leslie!
I read it in University, and saw in it more than a tale for kids; a great speech against slavery and racism with a smile o..."

Which is why I think it is time to revisit it - I think I read it when I was 12 or 13 years old, so I am sure I would view it differently now (or at least I hope so!).

You should!

Another one on my TBR list and book shelf....I want to read it sometime this year!

Let me know when you do, Pink. I might be interested in a read along .

I'll make a note Gill.....probably sometime in the second half of this year :)

Pink wrote: "I'll make a note Gill.....probably sometime in the second half of this year :)"

Thanks, Pink

I think I have read this one, not too sure.

Oh I have, it's been a while I couldn't remember.