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aprilmei's review against another edition
5.0
I read this story in Mississippi Writings from the Library of America Collection. Fantastic story-telling and gets us right into the adventure with Tom, although we can see how mischievous and extravagant or excessive he is in his fantastical actions, which are influenced by his being a little "emo." I remember feeling the same way that Tom did, though, with the wish to run away in order to avenge your good name after being reprimanded for something unfairly. The hope was to have people miss you so much that they'd feel guilty about reprimanding you and then would see you as a blessing instead of a curse. I did love Tom's spin on the fence whitewashing! Twain depicted the actions and thoughts of young people so accurately--their absorption in a novelty and turning anything into a game, their resourcefulness, their attachment to superstitions from stories told by adults or overheard from adults, their childish romances and ideas of romance.
"The children fastened their eyes upon the bit of candle and watched it melt slowly and pitilessly away; saw the half inch of wick stand alone at last; saw the feeble flame rise and fall, rise and fall, climb the thin column of smoke, linger at its top a moment, and then--the horror of utter darkness reigned!" pg. 192 (I love this description of the candle burning out and the children's accompanying emotions--great illustrative writing)
"Huck Finn's wealth and the fact that he was now under the widow Douglas's protection, introduced him into society--no, dragged him into it, hurled him into it--and his sufferings were almost more than he could bear. The widow's servants kept him clean and neat, combed and brushed, and they bedded him nightly in unsympathetic sheets that had not one little spot or stain which he could press to his heart and know for a friend." pg. 211 (I love how close we get to Huck Finn here)
Book: borrowed from Skyline College library.
"The children fastened their eyes upon the bit of candle and watched it melt slowly and pitilessly away; saw the half inch of wick stand alone at last; saw the feeble flame rise and fall, rise and fall, climb the thin column of smoke, linger at its top a moment, and then--the horror of utter darkness reigned!" pg. 192 (I love this description of the candle burning out and the children's accompanying emotions--great illustrative writing)
"Huck Finn's wealth and the fact that he was now under the widow Douglas's protection, introduced him into society--no, dragged him into it, hurled him into it--and his sufferings were almost more than he could bear. The widow's servants kept him clean and neat, combed and brushed, and they bedded him nightly in unsympathetic sheets that had not one little spot or stain which he could press to his heart and know for a friend." pg. 211 (I love how close we get to Huck Finn here)
Book: borrowed from Skyline College library.
_sal_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amber2976's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
obibryant's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Classic stories. Mostly mid with some great lines scattered about. First couple are vignettes into life in a small Mississippi River town. Then a longer plot develops.
I remember reading these stories as a kid and being somewhat sacred by them. As an adult they are mostly silly. Maybe that’s part of why the book appealed to young readers: Tom’s perspective is dated but his desires remain relevant.
I remember reading these stories as a kid and being somewhat sacred by them. As an adult they are mostly silly. Maybe that’s part of why the book appealed to young readers: Tom’s perspective is dated but his desires remain relevant.
najemok's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
mk92's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
lynnenad's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Buckets of fun. A worthy classic. I’m surprised at how well the humour stands up over the many decades since this was written.
pinoygrigio's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
znorgaard's review against another edition
4.0
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a thrilling and hilarious novel. Mark Twain captures the convoluted superstition and 'magic spells' of young boys perfectly. The juxtaposition of Tom's upstanding misadventures and murderous events does a great job of showing the disconnect between a child's idea of the world and an adult perception. The language is wonderful as well. Definitely worth reading.