dorothy_gale's review against another edition
3.0
INJUNS & NEGROES. It was difficult to hear such language (and worse), even though I know that it was common in 1876 when this was published. I had listened to Mark Twain before (forget which book) on a road trip in 2010, but this time I had different listening. Now we're amidst the "Cancel Culture" where Dr. Suess' publisher just pulled six of his books this past week for racism. The portrayal of the Native American character in this book is not a good one. There is at least one published journalist who claimed Mark Twain hated Natives. I emailed the Mark Twain House & Museum to get their take. The question remains whether a book can still be considered a "masterpiece of American literature," or even just good, with such horrid feelings toward and depictions of people of color. The problem is that the people who have decided what works are masterpieces (or not) were mostly white men. While it's cool that this was one of the first books to be written on a typewriter, the content isn't that masterful to me.
It was difficult to relate to a poor boy from a different place and era, although the carefree, barefoot childhood did resonate a bit. And it is told in the past tense from a wise narrator who can poke fun at the shenanigans and faults, so the stories are entertaining. I especially liked the funeral. However, the setting was based on Twain's own hometown and I think those depictions were likely quite accurate. The adventures may have been implausible, but I think all else was fair if not spot on. It has value that way, in that it gives us a glimpse into our ignorant, racist past.
Would I let my kids read this book? Common Sense Media recommends it for ages 12 and up. I'm not sure I will even have to worry about it. The competition with screens and modern books is stiff. If it were assigned or suggested at school, I would want to know that the teacher could frame it appropriately from the Native perspective. Which might not be possible unless the teacher were a person of color. So, I would at the very least want to know what my kids are reading and be able to provide that POC perspective AND know that my children are safe to bring-up these racial issues in their academic discussions.
There are worse books out there, racially. However, the milder racist content in this book is of the kind that an American hero/celebrity like Mark Twain has gotten away with, and it has contributed to systemic racism. I'm not a fan of banning books, but I do support disclaimers and warnings. Such things can and do trigger conversations for understanding and growth, and that is our only hope for racial equity. The alternative is that our kids see that this book is still published and cherished today, unchallenged, and think that it's okay to think and feel like that towards people of color. Our job as parents and educators is to teach kids how to question and challenge it, which means we need to know how to respectfully question and challenge it ourselves. 2020 proved once again that Americans struggle with these very conversations. "Cancel Culture" may give us a bit of whiplash, but I think it's necessary to force the conversations until it becomes second nature.
“Silence is consent. And silence where life and liberty is at stake, where by a timely protest we could stay the destoyer's hand, and do not do so, is as criminal as giving actual aid to the oppressor, for it answers his purpose ...” — Ernestine Rose
It was difficult to relate to a poor boy from a different place and era, although the carefree, barefoot childhood did resonate a bit. And it is told in the past tense from a wise narrator who can poke fun at the shenanigans and faults, so the stories are entertaining. I especially liked the funeral. However, the setting was based on Twain's own hometown and I think those depictions were likely quite accurate. The adventures may have been implausible, but I think all else was fair if not spot on. It has value that way, in that it gives us a glimpse into our ignorant, racist past.
Would I let my kids read this book? Common Sense Media recommends it for ages 12 and up. I'm not sure I will even have to worry about it. The competition with screens and modern books is stiff. If it were assigned or suggested at school, I would want to know that the teacher could frame it appropriately from the Native perspective. Which might not be possible unless the teacher were a person of color. So, I would at the very least want to know what my kids are reading and be able to provide that POC perspective AND know that my children are safe to bring-up these racial issues in their academic discussions.
There are worse books out there, racially. However, the milder racist content in this book is of the kind that an American hero/celebrity like Mark Twain has gotten away with, and it has contributed to systemic racism. I'm not a fan of banning books, but I do support disclaimers and warnings. Such things can and do trigger conversations for understanding and growth, and that is our only hope for racial equity. The alternative is that our kids see that this book is still published and cherished today, unchallenged, and think that it's okay to think and feel like that towards people of color. Our job as parents and educators is to teach kids how to question and challenge it, which means we need to know how to respectfully question and challenge it ourselves. 2020 proved once again that Americans struggle with these very conversations. "Cancel Culture" may give us a bit of whiplash, but I think it's necessary to force the conversations until it becomes second nature.
“Silence is consent. And silence where life and liberty is at stake, where by a timely protest we could stay the destoyer's hand, and do not do so, is as criminal as giving actual aid to the oppressor, for it answers his purpose ...” — Ernestine Rose
andergraphen's review against another edition
5.0
Un classico, un bellissimo racconto della vita popolana dell’800 americano. Personaggi simpaticissimi. Un modo di vivere semplice e onesto
annamontana's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This year one of my reading goals was to read more classics. It has lead me to discover new authors but also read books that I have known forever but never read. That is the case for this book.
I enjoyed The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a lot. I know that recently there has been criticism of the book due to racism and the like. While it is in there, I read it as a picture of thee time, not a condoning of racism. It also shows us how far we have come, where what was once just common place could not be found in literature today.
Like I said, I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the characters, which could have seemed like caricatures, but had more depth. Tom is a boy who has more energy and life then what school and church and his family want him to have and because of it gets into all sorts of mischief.
I enjoyed The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a lot. I know that recently there has been criticism of the book due to racism and the like. While it is in there, I read it as a picture of thee time, not a condoning of racism. It also shows us how far we have come, where what was once just common place could not be found in literature today.
Like I said, I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the characters, which could have seemed like caricatures, but had more depth. Tom is a boy who has more energy and life then what school and church and his family want him to have and because of it gets into all sorts of mischief.
bee_thebee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
one of my fav classics
matty_icey's review against another edition
3.0
Huckleberry Finn I found was better than the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but this was alright. Both are entertaining and show Mark Twain to have a good grasp of boyish human nature. I didn’t find Tom to be particularly likable.
nyxaslan's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
I read this book in my Literature class and I did not enjoy this book at all. I know it is supposed to be an American classic and that should make it great, but it just wasn't something I enjoyed. Plus taking tests and doing worksheets can suck the fun out of any book. A lot of it had to do with the language. They were racist and used country pronunciation. Plus some words were very hard to say and hard to understand. It was the language of the time, but it kept me from enjoying it more. The plot seemed very confusing and it dragged a ton. Aspects of the story were enjoyable, but mostly it just seemed very old and outdated. Overall, this book was not for me. If the language was better and there was more action, I might have enjoyed it more.
SOMEDAY IT MAY SEEM WORTHWHILE TO TAKE UP THE STORY OF THE YOUNGER ONES AGAIN AND SEE WHAT SORT OF MEN AND WOMEN THEY TURNED OUT TO BE; THEREFORE IT WILL BE WISEST NOT TO REVEAL ANY OF THAT PART OF THEIR LIVES AT PRESENT.
I read this book in my Literature class and I did not enjoy this book at all. I know it is supposed to be an American classic and that should make it great, but it just wasn't something I enjoyed. Plus taking tests and doing worksheets can suck the fun out of any book. A lot of it had to do with the language. They were racist and used country pronunciation. Plus some words were very hard to say and hard to understand. It was the language of the time, but it kept me from enjoying it more. The plot seemed very confusing and it dragged a ton. Aspects of the story were enjoyable, but mostly it just seemed very old and outdated. Overall, this book was not for me. If the language was better and there was more action, I might have enjoyed it more.
SOMEDAY IT MAY SEEM WORTHWHILE TO TAKE UP THE STORY OF THE YOUNGER ONES AGAIN AND SEE WHAT SORT OF MEN AND WOMEN THEY TURNED OUT TO BE; THEREFORE IT WILL BE WISEST NOT TO REVEAL ANY OF THAT PART OF THEIR LIVES AT PRESENT.
s0ph242826's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book is good. I can totally understand why it’s a classic! You just have to love Tom Sawyer no matter what he does, ughhh I have no words to describe how much I love this kid. No matter how crazy he is, he still cares so deeply for Becky, loves his aunt so much, and wants only the best for Huck. Wow.
amy_haynes's review against another edition
5.0
Mark Twain has a masterful way of describing human nature. His understanding of the impulsiveness of children and the melodrama of internal dialogue was great fun to listen to. I can't think of another author who so effortlessly places me in such a convincing and vivid, yet foreign environment. Loved it.
leslieloo's review against another edition
2.0
I try to give this a chance (I read the whole thing), but many of the parts were too boring and lengthy and it was hard to follow what exactly was going on. There were some fun moments, some thrilling ones and some boring ones. Tom is a fun and rebellious character, but the main reasons why I chose to read this book was because of the blurb and how an animated show (Fairly Odd Parents) portrayed him.
But overall, it was well written (this is Mark Twain we're talking about), but too lengthy.
But overall, it was well written (this is Mark Twain we're talking about), but too lengthy.
alaan's review against another edition
4.0
read it to improve my english since it’s meant to be a children’s book, really liked it, the whitewashing fence part is 10/10, i’ll definitely read huckleberry