Jess
The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.
This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.
There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).
The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.
This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.
There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).
The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.
This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.
There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).
The adventures of huckleberry fin is an interesting book because it displays a grim, dystopian society through the bubblegum-shaded glasses of boyish fun. In that way, it’s a very important insight into the collective American psyche.
This book is so much better than that. I would say that the first third or so follows the huckleberry fin plot told through Jim’s perspective, and where it branches off is much more interesting, sad, real. The story holds a mirror up to the ugliest, most vile realities of American slavery. Everett consistently created devices for reflection on the nature of identity, language, double consciousness, and many other philosophical concepts throughout the book. When he does so, it is usually through the incredibly insightful titular character’s musings as he tumbles through his odyssey. I particularly loved Jim/Jame’s (towards the end we see him lean into James more intentionally) dream conversations with different Enlightenment philosophers.
There was a lot of violence, racism, sexual violence, slurs, and terrible things said and done throughout the book, which can be really difficult to hear/read (audiobook version was still a really good way to experience this story, but it’s very visceral and a little nauseating at times for its portrayal of deeply brutal historical realities).
Frustrating and sad, but in a very real way. I enjoyed the jumpiness in the structure/timeline. I think Rooney captures the liminal space between misunderstanding remarkably well, and her characters are complex and unpolished much like real life.
Frustrating and sad, but in a very real way. I enjoyed the jumpiness in the structure/timeline. I think Rooney captures the liminal space between misunderstanding remarkably well, and her characters are complex and unpolished much like real life.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
More than anything, it is a thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the senses and memory. I believe this is also where the novel is strongest; in reflection rather than plot. I received a lot of insight into the social inter-workings of the French aristocracy; their anxieties especially. I didn’t think I would find it so funny. The most interesting points to me, within this social sphere, were the two moments of discourse around lesbianism and specifically the moral panic provoked by it.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
I thought it was really interesting! I really enjoyed the themes of nature as a living thing one can be in relationship with. I thought the ending could have been elaborated on, left some things to be desired. Plus the racial dynamics were sort of brushed over in ways that could have been more interesting if brought to the forefront. Overall I found it entertaining, surprising, and well written. Character development certainly could have gone deeper for many of the characters.
I thought it was really interesting! I really enjoyed the themes of nature as a living thing one can be in relationship with. I thought the ending could have been elaborated on, left some things to be desired. Plus the racial dynamics were sort of brushed over in ways that could have been more interesting if brought to the forefront. Overall I found it entertaining, surprising, and well written. Character development certainly could have gone deeper for many of the characters.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.
My favorite Dostoevsky. Utterly tragic and deeply hilarious. I found myself immediately pulled into this world. Each of our main characters depicts a well of hubris so real, so human, and so wholly that one cannot possibly expect a happy ending for any of them, yet cannot help but to hope for one in vain.