The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

By: Mark Twain

Narrated by: Richard Henzel

Ernest Hemingway wrote: "All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn." The book Papa Hemingway credits has been the subject of controversy since its publication in 1884. It is an unblinking portrait of American society during slave times, as seen through the eyes of the title character, who narrates the tale. Thirteen-year-old Huck runs away from his alcoholic and abusive father in a stolen canoe. Hiding on a wooded island, he comes upon a slave named Jim, who is also fleeing--from slavery. The two set off down the Mississippi on a piece of a raft, each in search of his own kind of freedom. Some critics have condemned Huck's attitudes towards slavery, his treatment of Jim, and his derogatory language, citing it as evidence that Mark Twain was a racist. But noted African American author Ralph Ellison rejects this criticism, saying "one also has to look at the teller of the tale, and realize that you are getting a black man, an adult, seen through the condescending eyes -- partially -- of a young white boy." This Mark Twain In Person Library recording is an approximation of Mark Twain's own voice, just as his family might have heard the story for the first time in the family library.Public Domain (P)2008 Richard Henzel

This is the one to listen to

Would you consider the audio edition of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn to be better than the print version?

Much more - Henzel nailed they accents and nuances of the writing much better than my imagination would have.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn?

Many, many -

What about Richard Henzel’s performance did you like?

Richard Henzel is incredibly talented. He nailed all the voices. From his worldly-naive boy Huck to his bass-toned, good, kind, long suffering Jim and all the saints and a scalawags in-between, Henzel treats us to life on the Mississippi as Mark Twain surely intended.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Huck has to decide whether the help Jim or turn him in.

J

This is a fun book. If anyone missed out on reading it when they were a kid, get it now. It would probably be more enjoyable for an adult. Its not childish and gives a cultural, historical presentation of life in that time era. I laughed, sometimes out loud, or at lease smiled all the way through with the antics of Huck Finn.