As a kid, my father read both this and "Tom Sawyer" to me before bedtime, and I remember enjoying "Huck Finn" far more than "Tom Sawyer". Can't imagine why it would be banned, although, considering the smallness of mind that such a depressingly large segment of the population seems to have, perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. Was it because of the frequent use of the word "nigger" or did the idea of 2 white boys floating down a river on a raft with a black man give certain people conniptions?

In the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain brings up issues of racism and slavery, which were present during the time period that the story takes place. While many people believe the book itself is racist, it is evident that Mark Twain had no intention of degrading African Americans to any extent. By telling the story of two boys on an adventure, Twain is able to show the reader the evil and unjust ways of the world through the eyes of two innocent boys. Slavery and racist thought is persistent throughout the book, but is simply used to deliver a message to the reader and describe the terrible but true ways of the south. The word nigger was commonly used in the south and therefore was also frequently used in the dialogue of the story. This book gives you a chance to feel what it was like for a slave, what they experienced, and how they were treated. Twain uses a satirical instance of racism when Huck tells Aunt Sally that the ferry was delayed due to an explosion: Good gracious! Anybody hurt? No'm. Killed a nigger Well, its lucky,because sometimes people do get hurt The point of this statement is to show the that these ideas were considered acceptable during the time period this story takes place. Twain recreates the society that once believed the death of a black man to be nothing of significance. Mark Twain also does an excellent job of getting the reader to feel respect and sympathy for the runaway slave Jim in the story.The seperation from his family and his devotion to his friend Huck was a compelling way to prove the point that all people are alike in many ways. In a way, this book is a story of Huck Finn developing into a man, going against the ideas that he grew up with and following what his heart and conscience told him. When he finally has to make a decision, he knows that he would rather be a sinner than not help his best friend, nomatter what color his skin is.

I have never read this book in school, i have only seen it on the channel five movies. i loved this film to pieces, it was so full of adventure and excitement. the acting was brilliant and i wish to purchase this film soon.

Despite its extreme popularity and acclaim, I never enjoyed this novel or many others by Mark Twain. I found it boring and dislike the flow and style of it. It was a horror to read in school.

Although, I don't agree with IrishGit that this is the great American novel, I do think it is prety darn good. It was required reading for my 10th grade Enlglish class, and I really did not expect to enjoy it. I was surprised to find myself enjoying it immensely. It has some great comedy in it.

One of the true injustices in American History. To deprive America's kids and youth from this wonderful masterpiece is a travesity.

As I recall this was challenged and even banned in some jurisdictions by small bands of the politically correct who objected to the word nigger in the text. A great American novel, possibly THE great American novel.

I had to read Huch Finn this term in English and I was so blown away. Mark Twain had to have had a lot of courage to publish a book that many, if not all of the social conventions of his time. It give the reader a chance to look at the social conventions that they submit to on a daily basis and re-evaluate if they truely believe in what they say and do. There are people who may believe that many of his social commentaries are no longer relevent in our time; however his satire mainly attacks those who think that they are or ought to be worth more than others for any reason as well as those who do not treat others with basic respect and tolerance. This is the root of many problems in all societies and Twain shows how it perpetuates itself through his characters and their attitudes towards eachother. I believe that it has been banned and challenged by those who are too proud or ignorant to admit to the faults of their values and those who are afraid of what changes something that challenges their values may bring.

I am assuming that this was banned because of the liberal use of the term 'nigger'. I can easily understand how a black person would feel uncomfortable reading this book, but the truth is that Twain's language was merely a reflection of the reality at the time. Black people were referred to as niggers in Missouri in the 1840's, as well as across most of these United States, and it would be unfortunate to forget that such bigotry was system-wide in those days, which weren't so long ago. Mark Twain is one of the very staples of American literature; America's own Oscar Wilde if you will. I don't think that he was a bigoted individual, and was probably quite enlightened racially for his time and place. Everyone should read his stuff, black or white, even though the language is racially volatile. Twain could hardly have told the story without using this language, and it was not meant as an endorsement of racism.

A great book. Generally the ignorant and illiterate attempt to have it removed from school libraries and reading lists--sometimes for the n word but just as often for, shall we say, Twain's less-than-reverent attitude towards Christianity. (Don't miss the hilarious part on the theological problem of preforeordestination.) Those who don't like the n word (if they are able to read at all) should read the moving scene where Huck is with Jim on the river, and Huck knows that he should do the right thing and turn Jim in, for he is an escaped slave, but since he loves and is devoted to his friend Jim, he decides he would rather do the wrong thing and go to Hell, rather than abandon his friend. Huck Finn is one of the best novels ever written in America. Five glowing stars.