My Conscience Got to Stirring Me Up

"Thinking" (1884) by E. W. Kemble, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Sometimes people ask me about my favorite novel. I can never give an honest or consistent answer to them; there are so many considerations that qualify my selection. However, I'm certain that The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is in my top five.

I'm not a big fan of the overall plot structure, especially not the last third, but I always enjoy Huck's character, his interior conversations, his childish innocence and his commonsense morality. Most of all, I adore Huck's authenticity. He is as "real" to me as many people who I have "really" met. ;-)

I have a thing against rereading books. Because there are so many great books that I have yet to read, it seems foolish to read a novel a second time. For me, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn always justify an extra read.

"On the Raft" (1884) by E. W. Kemble, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Published on this date in 1884, let's celebrate Mark Twain's enduring creation.

And let's enjoy E. W. Kemble's evocative illustrations.

"Jim Sees a Dead Man" (1884) by E. W. Kemble, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

"Jim and the Snake" (1884) by E. W. Kemble, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

"Out of Bondage" (1884) by E. W. Kemble, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Enjoy!!!