November 12, 2005
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Socrates Cafe Weekend Book Discussion
Simone de Beauvoir has asked members of Socrates Cafe to share thoughts on a favorite book this weekend. If you would like to read more, you can check here.
I actually have 3 books which should be included under this topic, but I will only write about 2 of them here. I cannot separate those 2. I read them both for the first time when I was in second grade.
The books to which I refer are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Yes, I know that is pretty advanced reading for a second grader, but I always read considerably above grade level.
My favorite cousin, Bob, gave me a volume containing both of those books for Christmas in 1956. Bob was old enough to be my father, but he and I both loved books and we always had a special connection. I loved the books he gave me, so I was all set to love Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.
The edition I have, which, as I said, contains both books, is in a cardboard sleeve and has wonderful illustrations by Norman Rockwell. I don’t believe that this particular edition is available any longer, so mine would probably be worth something if it had not been loved to death by a small child. It has globs of spaghetti sauce on it and was dropped into the bathtub a time or two. The spine is also coming loose. Nevertheless, it enjoys a place of honor in a glass enclosed cabinet in my living room, displayed along with Hummels and Lalique.
I have read these books many, many times. In recent years, I have read only excerpts, but all through my childhood, I read my combined volume from cover to cover many times a year. When I was a child, I enjoyed reading the story of other children who were having adventures that I knew that I would never have. I lived vicariously through them. Those adventures took place along and on a river. I grew up in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area. The Missouri River, which divides the two cities, has always been important to me, so I enjoyed reading about life on another river, the Mississippi, very much. I envied those two boys who had a freedom that I would never have.
As an adult, I have learned that Huckelberry Finn is considered to be perhaps the greatest American novel. It is recognized as one of the definitive works on the topic of slavery. I did not recognize that on a conscious level as a child, but I am sure that this book did help to shape my ideas about acceptance of people who are different and about relationships between the races.
So, I love these books because I associate them with a cousin to whom I am particularly attached, because I love the illustrations, because they gave me a glimpse of a life that was different from mine, and because they speak to me about the ways in which people should relate to each other.
Comments (19)
I love these books. I haven’t readf them in ahile. shuld re-read them
Have you seen the film “Tom and Huck” ? It was a cute mvie. I liked it.
http://disney.jbug.net/mvdata/data/Tom_and_Huck.jpg
What a lovely tale.
I’m not sure what book I’d really suggest to a group of people. For about eight months, I went on a crazed reading kick. I read nearly two dozen books in this time. However, none of the books from that group are among them. I enjoyed your story. I haven’t read either novel in a very very long time.
mark twain’s imagination is impressive.
it pays to read children’s books at any time after our childhood, always keeping the young spirit alive.
i’ve never read “the adventures of huckleberry finn” but i’d really like to and next week i’m gonna go to the library and look for a copy. i hope you saw the comment i left on your internet island entry, i had to scroll down to find it
do you mind if i subscribe to you? take care, charlie
Thanks for stopping by my site. As Bald Mike says, I don’t know much about blogging. But I’m having fun. crystal
I read these books as a child, a teen and as an adult. I loved them at all ages.
Those are books for all ages. Great books.
Christine
I love those books!
I remember how exciting it was to read them , almost like being along with Tom ,Huck and Becky.
Great books and author.
One of my favorite books is ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’.Harper Lee.
Peace and Love:)
I love all Mark Twain books
Both of these are excellent books! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I so agree with you on illustrations having an impact on the reader!
There are many books I read as child, and still vividly recall their beautiful drawings.
Thanks for your comment on my blog!
Its interesting that the books that you remember must are from your childhood
I like these choices very much. Twain is timeless. Yes, the gift of a book is the memory made alive again. Thank-you for sharing your treasured books.
Speaking of Twain, there is a radio program on 1500 KSTP out of St. Paul called the “Mischke Hour” and if ever the spirit of Samuel Langhorne Clemens is kept alive it is through the natural wit and wisdom of Tommy Mischke. The legendary program was moved to the late 10-midnight spot due to the station’s predominately conservative turn, but thank the powers that be the station left Mischke on. I believe the station is high watt so should be available across the five to six state region.
Thank-you very, very much for advising me on the iMac! I am borrowing my daughter’s machine while she is in Ireland and my son has my more navigational IBM at his address because his Dell is out of sorts. My daughter is studying graphic art and as I understand it, the iMac is useful for this. We play musical computers around here alot! LOL!
Many Blessings~
Oh I loved those books too as a child!! What a good ‘must read’ choice. My daughters have copies of them too. Wonderful books. ~T.L.
Our oldest son and family live in LaCrosse, which is on the Mississippi. I love to go down to the river when we go to visit. The river has such a mystique about it—thanks to Mark Twain and his books. I vision Tom and Huck on the river, along with the paddlewheels. It takes me back to my childhood, when I read those books, to.
Thanks for sharing these books
It sounds like they helped form your moral values. Can you think of some morals from the stories that you might share this week?
Also, thank you for reminding me about members using MACS. It is unfortunate that we PC users cannot provide instructions for them as well. What we need to find are some good basic instructions on the net somewhere that we can refer people to.
Off to find Tom Sawyer!
Simone
I will have to reread those books. Great choices!!
I am surely coming again for more contents of yours.
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