The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Ratings603
Average rating3.7
If you look past the blatant racism(obv books are products of their time etc etc) this was probably the most fun children's novel I've had the pleasure of enjoying in a long time
A little disappointed in this - aside from a few entertaining scenes, it doesn't seem like this is a classic that is well worth reading again (which apparently, Twain himself agrees vastly preferring the sequel which is more fondly remembered). It's pretty aimless as to reflect the tedium of every day life in a southern town, but it's not exactly the most entertaining - even with the spin of the children's POV. The subplots are entertaining enough, but it just feels like a series of vignettes with an overarching plot thrown in. There is however an interesting villain that they throw in, but there's not much development in that regard.
It's just good.
If you can find it in yourself to look past the outdated morals, this book is a masterpiece!
The writing style of the author and his ability to create atmosphere, as well as his infinitely relatable way of interpreting young people's though process had me feeling like I was there.
Un classico, un bellissimo racconto della vita popolana dell'800 americano. Personaggi simpaticissimi. Un modo di vivere semplice e onesto
Oh my goodness! I forced myself to finish this book. I have several “classics” on my “to-read” list, and this was one of them. It became available through my local library, so I got it. The language (the use of the N-word) and general demeanor toward minorities in this book was enough to get over. And then referring to “The Spaniard” and “Injun' Joe”. I knew on some level that this would be in the book, I just didn't know how difficult it would be for me to get through it. And then, the book is all about the antics of little boys, and the trouble they get into. I have no interest in that. Maybe I would have been more interested when I was closer to that age, and finding trouble of my own. But at 50, I have no interest in the messes that little boys get into. I'm trying to divert my own teen girls from other types of trouble that they're getting themselves in to. Wonder if I'll be able to get through Huck Finn...
This book is a wonderful adventure story for every child, of any age. It will inspire the young, and give the old something to smile and shake their heads over with nostalgia.
Loved this classic! I never read the unedited version when I was younger. It was a Great Illustrated Classics version that watered down the whole story and, obviously, removed whole chunks deemed “inappropriate”. Honestly, my memory of this story is stronger because of Disney's Tom and Huck film more than anything. I've always loved the story about the two boys constantly trying to seek out fun and freedom. Huck is my spirit animal, for sure. Only I'd have to have a room to store books in...so I suppose I am much more materialistic than he is.
The pure innocence, in the face of some of the most dangerous moments, made for a wonderful tale. I'm reminded of the quirky adventures and misunderstandings that my friends and I got up to in my youth. Luckily none ever as dangerous as getting lost in one of the largest cave systems in existence with a dangerous robber.
I can't understand the banning of books. The xenophobic language and tendencies of some of the characters is definitely something that in today's society we don't smile upon, but that's the whole point. Censoring thought is one of the most dangerous and evil things we can decide to do. History will repeat itself if we are ever allowed to forget.
3.5*
Dit verhaal van Mark Twain is een klassieker die de meeste waarschijnlijk wel op school hebben gelezen, en anders wel over hebben gehoord van vrienden. Het gaat over de avonturen van Tom Sawyer, een knaap uit het fictieve dorpje St. Petersburg, Missouri uit ongeveer 1840. Samen met zijn vriend Huckleberry en co. haalt hij katte kwaad uit.
In het begin schrijft Twain: “Hoewel mijn boek voornamelijk bedoeld is ter vermaak van jongens en meisjes, hoop ik dat het om die reden niet gemeden zal worden door mannen en vrouwen; ik heb namelijk onder meer beoogd om volwassenen op een aangename manier te herinneren aan wat zijzelf zijn geweest, en aan wat hun gevoelens waren en hoe ze dachten en spraken, en aan de zonderlinge zaken waarmee ze zich soms bezighielden.” Dit is dan ook precies het gevoel dat ik had toen ik het boek uit had.
Tijdens zijn avonturen word hij bijvoorbeeld schat zoeker en zee- en struik rover, raakt verliefd op een meisje, gaat op bezoek bij zijn eigen begrafenis, verliest de weg in een grot, is getuige van een moord. Kortom, alles zit erin. Het is in mijn beleving helaas niet zo spannend als dat Schateiland van Robert Louis Stevenson dat wel was. Maar om samen met Tom de avonturen te beleven die hem zijn overkomen was zeker geen straf. Ik heb daarom ook het andere boek van Mark Twain (De Avonturen van Huckleberry Finn) in huis gehaald. Zeker het lezen waard!
Very few books are as funny as the first half of Tom Sawyer. I think the humor drops off as the adventure side of the story takes off in the second half.
One could write a whole book at how to tackle or ignore the racist tone and language - I feel little capable of properly wading into those waters.
Still love the book and reading most anything Twain writes.
Had the villain died because of our heroes' decisions, the ending would have been more satisfying.
Un libro que te hara recordar con mucha nostalgia tu niñez (y cuando ibas a veranear al pueblo).
Algunas veces puede resultar algo pesado de leer, pero en general es muy entretenido y el autor consigue hacer que te sumerjas en la historia haciendote complice de las travesuras y aventuras que emprenden el protagonista, Tom Sawyer, y su amigo Huckleberry Finn.
This was an excellent story! I may or may not have read this as a child. I know I've seen more than one related movie. I feel I had a general idea of who Tom Sawyer was and some of the parts of the story described here. All that said, I really enjoyed this book. I like Twains writing style. It was the perfect book to kick off the summer. To hear how boys think, what they did, their logic (that made complete sense to them, but no adult). It's just a really fun story with more twists and turns than I remember. It stays interesting, while still being a “relaxing” read.
I've returned to the river.
A year ago I spent a weekend on the Missouri River attending a Writers Workshop. In typical Chris Blocker fashion, I thought it prudent to read something riverish. I selected Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi (my review). Thus a new association was born and once I decided I was returning to the river, one of my first considerations was what Mark Twain book I'd read this year.
I was hesitant to get into the Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn story-arc. I had a feeling I'd be underwhelmed or offended. I was leaning toward a different selection, but at the last minute, I decided to go with a classic. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer wasn't that bad—not as bad as I imagined it could be—but it certainly didn't impress me too much. Part of the issue is that Tom Sawyer feels slightly underdeveloped—ideas are used seemingly haphazardly and are recycled throughout the story. And part of the issue is that some of the novels better moments have become cliché. I recognize that Twain was likely the originator of some of these ideas—at least he was probably the prominent figure who introduced them into the American narrative. But I've seen enough Our Gang to know that children who play pirates will find treasure, children who fake death will convince everyone, and that little boys will always win a kiss from the girl of their dreams. It's not Twain's fault that his story has been resurrected repeatedly, but the familiarity minimized any sense of wonder and adventure I might have had had I come across this book 130 years ago.
In a different time, this book may have had a much different impact on me. This is a strong story of adventure from a unique child-like perspective. Those who enjoy a little swashbuckling or hijinx will likely eat this story up like blackberry pie. (Why blackberry pie? I don't know. It just feels like something I'd expect from these characters.) With a different person, there would've been different results: I'm not one for adventure; I was never a child. It's a good, simple story, very much plot-driven, but I didn't see much else to it.
Sadly, this book didn't hold to the river like I thought it would. There are a few mentions, a few explorations, but I have the notion that Huckleberry Finn is the more river-centric of the two. Will I explore the river someday with Huck? I don't know. I probably should, but I have the same hesitance I did with Tom Sawyer. Maybe I'll leave it up to the river. If it's able to pull me back another time, I'll consider it.
Ehh, I wasn't too fond of this book. I couldn't really connect with the characters. It did get rather interesting at the end, so I did enjoy that part!
5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Tom Sawyer tries to be a good boy, but not too hard. Sometimes, you jest have to get out and play. But, with his friend Huck Finn, he gets into somewhat deeper waters than he ever intended.
Review
I hadn't read Tom Sawyer for some decades, at least, but thought it was time to go back to it, and I'm glad I did. There are aspects I didn't remember well – some sidebars about education and composition, quite where they find Injun Joe – but largely the book stood the test of time.
It's a children's story, though it uses vocabulary that would likely be deemed too sophisticated for children these days, but I'm with Twain on this. More to the point, he captures childish concerns and excitements nicely. Tom and his friends are pretty credible and very engaging. The adults are far more forgiving than seems quite reasonable, but perhaps that's filtered by Tom's rosy perception. In any case, the story isn't about them.
Obviously, times have changed, and some may find the characters' use of ‘the n word' irredeemable, but I think it fairly reflects the time. Perhaps unlike Huckleberry Finn, this is intended largely as a fun book for children, not as a critique of society, though there is a little of that as well. It's an adventure story, and it works very well to that end. Details aside, I remember it clearly from my own youth, and if I'm more jaded and less excited by Tom's risks now, I think the book still holds up well. Read it within the context and I think you'll enjoy it.
I wasn't happy when my seventh-grade English teacher announced that we were going to read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Who wanted to read a book with a boy main character? Not me.
I completely changed my mind after we read together the very first chapter. The dynamics of the relationship between edgy Tom and his guardian Aunt Polly was spot-on perfect. And the story went on, and just got better and better. Skipping school. Tom got his fence painted and didn't do a lick of work—fabulous. Body snatchers in a graveyard. A haunted house. Lost in a cave. Witness to a murder. Buried treasure. Pirates. Attending his own funeral.
One of my all-time favorite reads.