Books

Paris: A. Hennuyer, Imprimeur-Editeur, 1886. First Edition. Hardcover. Illustrated by Sirouy, Achille. Bibliothèque Nouvelle de la Jeunesse. Two volumes. Description as follows: 1) Les aventures de Tom Sawyer; [4], 238pp.; cream pictorial cloth, blue endpapers, all edges gilt; black and white in-text illustrations by Achille Sirouy; translated by W. L. Hughes; light foxing to text block, front hinge starting, mild toning to spine panel; a bright, very good+ copy. 2) Les aventures de Huck Finn, l'ami de Tom Sawyer; 276pp; gray pictorial cloth, brown endpapers, all edges gilt; black and white in-text illustrations by Achille Sirouy; translated by W. L. Hughes; light foxing to text block, minor wear along the spine, mild toning to spine panel; a near fine copy. A nice set. ; Octavo.

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a classic American novel written by Mark Twain, published in 1884. Set in the pre-Civil War South, the story is narrated by Huckleberry "Huck" Finn, a teenage boy who runs away from his abusive father. Huck befriends Jim, an escaped slave, and together they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River on a raft. The novel begins with Huck living with the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson, who attempt to civilize him. However, Huck is uncomfortable with their rules and restrictions, so he fakes his own death and escapes to the river. There, he encounters Jim, who is also running away, and they form an unlikely bond. As they travel down the river, Huck and Jim face numerous adventures and challenges. They meet a pair of con artists, the Duke and the Dauphin, who join them on the raft. The Duke and the Dauphin create chaos wherever they go, and their schemes expose the hypocrisy and moral decay of society. One of the central themes of the novel is Huck's moral growth and his struggle with societal values. He grapples with the idea of helping Jim escape to freedom, which goes against the prevailing views on race and slavery at the time. Despite the prevailing racist attitudes of the society he comes from, Huck comes to see Jim as a friend and a human being deserving of freedom. The novel is known for its satirical portrayal of the antebellum South, its critique of societal norms, and its exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas. It's also celebrated for its use of the Southern dialect and its depiction of Huck's inner conflict as he navigates the complexities of right and wrong. As the story progresses, Huck and Jim's friendship deepens, and Huck faces a moral crisis when he learns that Jim is going to be sold back into slavery. Huck decides to help Jim, even if it means defying the law and the moral code of the society he comes from. In the end, the novel concludes with Huck rejecting civilization and deciding to strike out on his own, stating that he will "light out for the Territory ahead of the rest" to avoid being "sivilized." This open-ended conclusion leaves readers to ponder the implications of Huck's decision and the broader commentary on societal norms and individual conscience that Mark Twain weaves throughout the narrative.

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was first published in the United States, not the United Kingdom. It was released on December 10, 1884, by Charles L. Webster and Company. Charles L. Webster was Mark Twain's nephew, and the novel was subsequently published in the United Kingdom in 1885. Firstly, confirm that the book was published by Charles L. Webster and Company in 1884 in the United States. Look for this publisher's information on both the title page and the copyright page. Inspect the title page to ensure it bears the correct publication date (1884) and displays the publisher's name as Charles L. Webster and Company. The first edition of "Huckleberry Finn" had a distinctive green cloth binding with gold gilt lettering and an illustration on the cover. However, cover designs and materials might have changed in later editions or reprints.