Tom Sawyer (Lake Illustrated Classics, Collection 1)

this is one of the best books of our time. it has humor and action and romance. it has everything you could ever want in a book.

Tom Sawyer is a mischievous boy, fighting and playing and generally having a good time in antebellum St. Petersburg, Missouri. His imagination takes him around the world, while he and his friends find adventure much closer to home.

This book is widely recognized as a classic of modern Western literature, and it is easy to see why. The story oscillates between two poles - at one pole it is a fun and light-hearted story of boys having their own largely harmless fun. At the other pole it is a suspenseful story of murder and danger. The story moves back and forth between the two poles, seamlessly weaving together a story that is both fun and suspenseful.

Now, this story has been censored from some library shelves, due to the fact that the author used the now-discredited "n-word" throughout the book. The thoughtless racism that is demonstrated throughout the story is shocking to a modern reader, and no doubt will put off many readers. But, the story is a true-to-life depiction of what things were like in Missouri at the time, including both the good and the bad.

I found this to be a very entertaining read, and it is quite apparent why the book has enthralled readers since its first publication in 1876. I really enjoyed my time with this book, and think that you will as well.

I purchased three books for my 13 year old son's summer reading. This is the only one I didn't have to pull teeth for him to read. I recommend this to anyone who has a son this age. He even brought it in the car to read while we were traveling. Wow.

"What's wrong with that boy?" A straightforward question that American classic author, Mark Twain, answers in the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Tom Sawyer is the original prankster, who gives the readers a glimpse into a boy's psyche. This light-hearted account of a lad's childhood reveals the superstitions that boys follow under and the games they partake in. From robbers, to pirates, to even an imitation of Peter Pan, the gang that entails Tom Sawyer is bound to collect trouble.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer begins in rural Mississippi, where the world of Tom Sawyer revolves around summertime fun and playing hooky. At home he has a family based association, where his Aunt Polly, younger brother Sid, and older sister Mary are supportive. Though when his Aunt Sally gives an unjust punishment, and his relationship with Becky Thatcher turns sour, Tom runs away to a remote island with his friends Joe Harper and notorious Huckleberry Finn. There he feels the pangs of homesickness, though decides to endure it when he plans to fake his own death. Arriving at the church during his funeral was one of my favorite parts, making the conflict of emotions more potent when you could feel the vast relief of the congregation, but also the fury of this bogus hoax.
The main adventure that streams throughout the novel is the incidents following Doctor Robinson's murder. With only Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer as the sole witnesses, the truth is suddenly twisted when the boys take a vowel of silence and Injun Joe tries to pin the murder on Muff Potter, the town drunk. With every scene following, the boys live in terror with the possibility of facing the half-breed, but the series of events domino into the perfect ending where pauper boys become rich kings.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a delicious escape which can be embraced by young and old alike. I read the book when I was a child, but every aspect of the book still appeals to me today.

If you are looking for a fun adventure filled with mischievous characters, you will find it here. It is also filled with lighthearted laughter and suspense. It is a timeless classic which will keep you turning pages until you reach the end.

The writing of Mark Twain has influenced me as an author. I like the silliness of some of his characters. That is reflected in my outrageously funny novel entitled "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude." While my book is not a classic, Tom Sawyer will stand the test of time. Mark Twain is an author for the ages.

Davis Aujourd'hui, author