If you are reading or re-reading Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I strongly recommend that you secure this version. It includes the original illustrations, period maps of the Mississippi as traversed by Huck and Jim, seventy-five pages of explanatory notes, a glossary, and examples of manuscript pages showing some of the changes Twain made as he developed the story over a period of several years. This 125th anniversary edition is well worth the additional cost. ( )

This American classic by Mark Twain has been on my list of books to read for many years, primarily to find out why it is so popular and highly regarded. I had high expectations going in but unfortunately they weren't met. I can certainly appreciate the literary accomplishment in reproducing the dialogue of the times for both Finn's character and that of the main negro character Jim. This was done exceptionally well, and there were certainly some laugh out loud moments.

I thought it was interesting that although this book is set in the time of slavery, Huckleberry Finn wants to 'steal his nigger' friend Jim and set him free, but feels guilty at the same time and believes he will go to Hell if he carries it out.

I also found Finn's ability to hastily weave such convoluted lies quite amusing, however my interest started to wane when Tom Sawyer joined the adventures towards the end of the book.

I'm glad I finally got around to reading this American classic, but I couldn't say I enjoyed it all that much. ( )