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hjb_128's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Alcohol
timmytunter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
One of the standout aspects of the book is Twain's ability to capture the innocence and curiosity of childhood. Tom's adventures are a blend of mischief and heroism, from exploring caves to witnessing a murder, making the story both thrilling and endearing. We also catch glimpses of adult hypocrisy and societal norms, offering a critique of the world from a child's perspective.
However, reading the book today, certain elements can be incredibly jarring. Twain's depictions of Native Americans, African Americans, and women reflect the biases and prejudices of his time. These portrayals are troubling and serve as a reminder of the pervasive racial and gender discrimination in post-slavery 19th-century southern America. Twain's language and characterizations reveal his societal biases, which can be uncomfortable for modern readers.
Despite these issues, Twain's narrative is not without its merits. His droll and self-aware sense of humour shines through, particularly in quotes like this favourite of mine:
[Tom] had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. If he had been a great and wise philosopher, like the writer of this book, he would now have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.
This quote encapsulates Twain's cleverness and insight into human nature, highlighting his ability to find profound truths in simple, everyday observations.
Overall, while “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” offers a delightful and adventurous story of childhood, it is essential to approach it with a critical eye, recognizing the dated and prejudiced elements that reflect the time and society in which it was written.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence, and Murder
ggcd1981's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Slavery, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Confinement and Classism
celery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
buttongirl22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Sexism
redheadorganist's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Murder
annapox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexism, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
kcbbooks0125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder