Reviews

2.75 rounded up. I reread this in prep for James and boy were parts of this rough. I remember in my literary snob days loving this book and it really did not hold up. The statements it’s making about slavery are still valid but some of the other things around black identity do not age well. The King and the Duke section were by far my favorite and I could have spent the whole book with them. When Tom Sawyer returns toward the back half of this book it feels like pulling teeth. If you like classics and canon read this, but don’t read it just to read it.

dmirassou's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lanterns's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

i don't have much to say about this one other than it was long as fuck but overall the story and the lessons were good. you really need to pay attention to the fact that mark twain is writing this from the perspective of a little boy, as his narration doesn't always align with what is truly going on. i also just want to mention the fact that jim is one of the coolest dudes ever, and mighty intelligent at that. many scholars who read this book think quite the opposite, but i am willing to make a whole case as to why jim's performance here was one of the best i've ever seen. definitely a "great american book", and worth the read if you have the time it takes to get through it.

jjulietaa's review against another edition

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3.0

i actually finished it awhile ago but will need to reread it bc i don’t think i comprehended half of it. it was good
but also boring idk

mcfajber's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

shipwreck78's review against another edition

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3.0

This book may fall into “the right place and time” and it was not my place or time? Or it could just be its past its expiration date for me to truly appreciate it? I was being generous with my 3 stars, i would have quit it if I wasn’t reading James for bookclub and this was recommended to read as a primer before heading into that book. Going into this book with that focus made Jim’s character feel even more one note. I struggled with the racism, parent/child violence, con-men shannigans (i kept flashing to Trump when thinking of the duke/prince characters - they are what they believe they are..) And don’t even get me started the repeated “Rube Goldberg” methods of getting out of predicaments.

heatherilene's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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