Having never studied American Literature, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ was a gap in my reading—one I felt I probably ought to address, and definitely needed to address before I could embark on reading the huge hit of 2024, ‘James’ by Percival Everett. 

 

In ’The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, a boy, the eponymous Huckleberry Finn, fakes his own murder in order to escape his alcoholic and abusive father, and sets off on a journey on a raft down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave, Jim. The book is very much grounded in the time in which it was written, using language that is no longer acceptable today and exploring themes which are still very much relevant today. 

 

Although the story is largely entertaining (though, at the same time, discomforting, with its language and attitudes) and it is undoubtedly thought-provoking, it falters towards the end with the reappearance of the character Tom Sawyer. Up until this point, the story speeds along and is an engaging and immersive read, but with Tom’s reappearance it begins to drag and stretch credulity. The ending feels like a let down and seems to go against the points about race and injustice that Twain was making—or perhaps this was simply another layer to his commentary. Either way, it didn’t work for me. 

 

I don’t know if this is a book that I will ever return to or one that I feel able to recommend outside of an academic context, but I’m glad that I read it and I’m now looking forward to reading ‘James’. 

Extremely dated! Hard to take in parts. Not as funny as it once was. 

Read as a companion to Percival Everett’s James. 

Mark Twain’s „The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“ (1885) is often regarded as one of the most significant works of American literature, praised for its incisive social commentary and pioneering use of vernacular language. However, the novel is not without its flaws — its portrayal of race remains controversial, its narrative structure is uneven, and its ending is widely criticized. While Twain’s satire of 19th-century American society is undeniably powerful, the novel’s moral ambiguity and problematic depictions make it a complex and sometimes troubling read.

Twain’s ability to expose the hypocrisy of so-called “civilized” society is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Through Huck’s eyes, readers see the absurdity of religious dogma, the cruelty of slavery, and the senseless violence of feuding families. Twain’s sharp wit is especially evident in his depiction of Southern aristocracy and the con artists, the Duke and the Dauphin, who exploit the ignorance and gullibility of those around them.

The use of regional dialects was groundbreaking for its time, making the novel feel authentic and immersing readers in Huck’s world, even though slightly hard to read for a present-day reader, especially if they are not a native speaker. Huck himself is a compelling protagonist — his moral dilemmas and internal conflicts make him more than just a mischievous boy on an adventure. His evolving relationship with Jim, the runaway enslaved man, forms the emotional core of the novel.

Despite its apparent critique of slavery, Huckleberry Finn is fraught with racial issues. Twain may have intended Jim to be a sympathetic figure, but he is often depicted in a patronizing and stereotypical manner. His speech, superstitions, and passive role in the story reinforce harmful tropes rather than dismantle them. Although Huck gradually comes to see Jim as a friend, his change of heart is framed as a personal decision rather than a true challenge to the institution of slavery. The novel stops short of fully acknowledging Jim’s humanity and instead uses him as a tool for Huck’s moral growth.

Additionally, the novel’s frequent use of racial slurs, while historically accurate, has made it enraging to read. Some argue that Twain was exposing the racism of his time, while others contend that he failed to move beyond its prejudices. This ambiguity weakens the novel’s anti-racist potential.

One of the most significant criticisms of Huckleberry Finn is its uneven narrative structure. The first two-thirds of the novel are engaging and thought-provoking, but the story loses its momentum when Tom Sawyer reappears. Tom’s elaborate and unnecessary schemes to “rescue” Jim turn what could have been a powerful climax into a frustrating and trivial farce. Instead of allowing Huck to fully develop as a character, Twain reduces him to a passive participant in Tom’s childish games.

„The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn“ remains a landmark in American literature, but its legacy is complicated. While Twain’s satire, use of language, and character development are remarkable, the novel’s racial depictions, structural weaknesses, and unsatisfying conclusion prevent it from being an unqualified masterpiece. It is a novel worth reading and discussing, but also one that demands a critical perspective.

This book is… less than stellar. Often meandering and lackadaisical in its plot. I enjoyed the episodic nature of Tom Sawyer, but this book has no real “interesting” developments and ends quite frustratingly. 

I admire the honest approach of racism in society and how it can impact youth, but I really feel that the ending completely unravels all the good nature it had built in the pages before it.

Interested to see how my perspective changes on the story after I read James.