117. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Novel Pairings

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a staple in high school classrooms and a foundational piece of American literature. This children’s classic is a boisterous and satirical novel addressing a vast array of social and political issues couched in an episodic coming-of-age tale. In today’s episode, we address some of the teaching baggage that comes along with this book, consider Huck’s moral development, and wrestle with the complexities of encountering this book as a modern reader. As always, we also offer contemporary pairings including a National Book Award winner and a sweet and tender father-and-son story.

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Pairings Timestamp: 39:14

Books mentioned:

• Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

• Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

• This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

Also mentioned:

• Percival Everett’s Huck Finn Retelling

• Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

• Lonesome Dove episode

• Toni Morrison on Huck Finn

• Jane Smiley on Huck Finn