Book Review: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)

by Jiayun

One phrase describes this book: thought provoking. When I was required to read this book in English class a few weeks ago, I thought I would be bored for the next week. Ha! WRONG! I was being provincial like the other people who have banned this book from their libraries.

The plot centers around Huckleberry Finn, who travels down the Mississippi River, and befriends a runaway slave named Jim. The book is a bit haphazard because it describes separate episodes of Huck's adventures, not the entire journey as a whole. One of the most interesting episodes is when Huck washes up on shore after a steamboat hits his raft. He invents another name for himself and joins the Grangerford family. Unfortunately, the Grangerfords are currently in a family feud with the Sheperdsons, and Huck walks into the feud without realizing the danger.

In reality, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is very interesting. Everyone (probably) knows the book revolves around a young boy, Huckleberry Finn, and his journey down the Mississippi River. But does everyone know about the controversy ... about Huck Finn as a racist book, a book disgracing the race of the African Americans? No, and this debate is the precisely why Huckleberry Finn can be dubbed a classic. As a controversial novel, it will always be refreshing readers. As mentioned before, it provokes the mind to think about: slavery, the process of maturation, friendship, and human nature in general.

Classics are often difficult to read, as is in the case of Huck Finn. However, it is worth the time to explore this classic even if one dislikes adventure books. Just remember to keep an open mind.