The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1884)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (1835 to 1910, USA) is a very important work in American literature.  Some say it is The Great American Novel.  For sure anyone into the development of the American novel needs to read this work.  I prior to this  last read it maybe 40 years ago.  I recalled the plot as I read it but that might be from seeing movies based on the book.   

I do not especially like books with a great deal of rural character dialect in which authors try to replicate speech patterns.  This is not a value judgement but I don't like to be slowed down too much.  This book is full of this and I did get tired of it.  It is wonderful to see Huck struggle with the notion that the slave Jim was as fully human as he.  There are lots of great satirical bits.  

I am glad I took the time to reread this book.  Any body seriously into the novel needs to read it, especially Americans.  I think it is or maybe once was much taught by American pedagogical professionals.  This is an all-American classic.  I am not sure how much of the reputation of this book comes from literary patriotism.

Mel u

"Extracts From Adam's Diary" by Mark Twain

"Extracts From Adam's Diary" by Mark Twain (1880, ten pages)

Mark Twain (pen name for Samuel Clemens-1835 to 1910-Missouri, USA) is the "All American" writer.  Herman Melville might be more admired but Twain is (or was) more loved.    Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are canon status works. Kenzaburo Oe has stated that Huckleberry Finn had a great influence on his writings.       There has been a number of postings on Mark Twain recently because of the plans to publish a new edition of Huckleberry Finn that censors it for politically incorrect expressions so when I saw one of his short stories "Extracts From Adam's Diary"  was one of the stories of the day on East of the Web I decided to read it.

"Extracts From Adam's Diary"  is just what it sounds like.   It is Twain's idea of what a diary kept by Adam  would be like.   The diary begins right after a new creature enters Adam's world, a woman.   The style of the prose is direct  and delightful.    I think perhaps some very politically correct persons might see the treatment of women in this work as patronizing.     Adam speaks of the creature as annoying him by never stopping talking and makes use of other stereotypes.  

As I read this I could see this being read aloud to groups of barely literate Americans in the 1890s who would find it quite credible that they were being read to from the actual diary of Adam.    

TUESDAY -- She has taken up with a snake now. The other animals are glad, for she was always experimenting with them and bothering them; and I am glad because the snake talks, and this enables me to get a rest.

     FRIDAY -- She says the snake advises her to try the fruit of the tree, and says the result will be a great and fine and noble education. I told her there would be another result, too -- it would introduce death into the world. That was a mistake -- it had been better to keep the remark to myself; it only gave her an idea -- she could save the sick buzzard, and furnish fresh meat to the despondent lions and tigers. I advised her to keep away from the tree. She said she wouldn't. I foresee trouble. Will emigrate.

I loved  the last paragraph of this story.     I think if you agree with what Adam says in the last paragraph of this story then you have a good marriage.   This is a fun easy to read story all can enjoy.

"Extracts From Adam's Diary" can be read online.


Mel u