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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Norton Critical Edition)
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Norton Critical Edition Author:Mark Twain, Thomas Cooley (Editor) Cordially hated and dreaded by all the mothers of the town because he was idle, and lawless, vulgar, and bad -- and because all their children admired him so', Huckleberry Finn, the fourteen-year-old son of the town drunkard, joins runaway slave Jim on an exciting journey down the mighty Mississippi River on a raft. — This perennially popular... more » Norton Critical Edition reprints for the first time the definitive Iowa-California text of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, complete with all original illustrations by Edward Windsor Kemble and John Harley.
The text is accompanied by explanatory annotations. Contexts and Sources provides readers with a rich selection of documents related to the historical background, language, composition, sale, reception, and newly discovered first half of the manuscript of Mark Twain's greatest work.
Included are letters on the writing of the novel, excerpts from the author's autobiography, samples of bad poetry that inspired his satire (including an effort by young Sam Clemens himself), a section on the censorship of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by schools and libraries over a hundred-year period, and commentary by David Carkeet on dialects of the book and by Earl F. Briden on its "racist" illustrations.
In addition, this section reprints the full texts of both "Sociable Jimmy," upon which is based the controversial theory that Huck speaks in a "black voice," and "A True Story, Repeated Word for Word As I Heard It," the first significant attempt by Mark Twain to capture the speech of an African American in print.
Criticism of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is divided into "Early Responses" (including the first negative review) and "Modern Views" by Victor A. Doyno, T. S. Eliot, Jane Smiley, David L. Smith, Shelley Fisher Fishkin (the "black voice" thesis), James R. Kincaid (a rebuttal of Fishkin), and David R. Sewell. Also included is Toni Morrison's moving personal "Introduction" to the troubling experience of reading and rereading Mark Twain's masterpiece.« less
I had read it when I was younger and wanted to read as a adult. Just wonderful Mr Twain sure knew how to write. Just picks you up and sets you down in a different time. I could feel the heat, feel the river and so enjoyed it.
While this book is considered a classic against not only slavery, but the stupidity of humanity, I'm not certain it isn't overrated. That said, Mark Twain's insightful and well-placed barbs do provide amusement and a stinging critique of society post-Civil War. I also like it just because people have tried to ban it.
I loved that we see this tale through the eyes of a young boy, complete with his speach style and outlook on the world. A good book that I would recomend to anyone interested in US history of the period, coming of age stories, or just adventure mixed with wit and humor.
Becky B. reviewed Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Norton Critical Edition) on
Great Characters and Great Adventure Keeps you wondering what Huck is going to do next!!! Aunt Polly tries to keep Tom in line and help Huck some too. Great Book!!!
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel of sorts. First came The Adventures of Tom Sawyer which Huckleberry Finn was a character in just as Tom Sawyer was in this one. In this adventure Huckleberry runs away from his alcoholic father and along the way runs into a slave Jim, who is trying to gain his freedom. As they stop in towns along the river they always seem to run into trouble.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was more enjoyable to read on my own then it was to read for school. Huck definitely has a original imagination to get them through all the hijinks they go through.
I felt that by the Tom Sawyer showed up the book could and probably should have ended. Many of the people in the town were pretty gullible to believe Huck, Tom and other characters like the Duke or King.
An Interesting read. Not sure I understand why it is a classic except that is by Mark Twain. I could see the authors humor throughout the book, which he was known for.
Gail M. reviewed Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Norton Critical Edition) on
If contemporary readers can put themselves back into a different time period, this is a fascinating visit to a very different era. Twain's struggles with his contemporary social attitudes are evident throughout the book.
This is an excellent book by Mark Twain. The story delves further into the character introduced in Tom Sawyer. In Twain's impeccable way, the reader will be transported back in time to experience life on the might Mississippi. Perfect reading for children and adults.
Terror on the Seas!
A deadly sea monster, as long as aafootball field, is ramming and sinking ship. Is it a monster squid- or an enormous-horned sea unicorn? No one knows for sure.
I guess this particular story has engendered more pros and cons than other classics have. But laying all that aside, it is a great adventure with some really important thoughts. A brief biography of Samuel Clemens closes this book.
