Reviews with content warning for Death - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

14 reviews

timmytunter's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

Mark Twain's “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is a classic tale of childhood wonder and adventure. Through the eyes of young Tom, we are transported to a world of youthful escapades, where the line between reality and imagination often blurs. Tom's adventures encapsulate the essence of childish rebelliousness and the allure of fantasy and escapism.

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.

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celery's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

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buttongirl22's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

It’s definitely a book of its time. I enjoyed it a lot more than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but it’s still not something I would seek out if it wasn’t a “classic” (or, more honestly, if Nick Offerman wasn’t narrating this audiobook).

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12dejamoo's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

You can't go wrong with Tom Sawyer. It's just such comfy reading

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teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny medium-paced

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

2.5

My first time reading this beloved classic. I can't say it was for me. I did laugh at some of Tom's antics, but didn't connect beyond that. Where other classics have aged well, I don't feel certain this one did. I also was not a fan of the narration.

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moreau's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This is so good. All the characters are so charming and believable, the language is super fun too considering the setting and era. Absolutely obsessed.

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