The Manga Classics version of Huckleberry Finn has remained true to the original novel by Mark Twain, doing its best to keep language and themes intact. The forward states that, rather than burying the past, the Manga Classics version seeks to help students “think critically about current racial slurs and stereotypes by tracing them back to their historical origins, and examining the intent and viewpoints of those associated with them.” In other words, the story hasn’t been sugar-coated to make people feel more comfortable. They should feel uncomfortable. The original story was a cutting commentary on racial and class attitudes, which are issue still relevant today.
Huckleberry Finn, our titular hero, is a young boy living with the widow Douglas and Miss Watson, as his abusive drunkard of a father is often gone for weeks on end. One day, Pap kidnaps Huck and carts him off to live in the forst, locking Huck up when he wants to leave. Huck escapes, laying out a near perfect ruse to make it seem the cabin had been broken into and Huck killed. Not long after, Huck meets Jim, the slave belonging to Miss Watson, who ran away after overhearing he was to be sold. Unfortunately, Huck learns that it is believed Jim killed him, not his Pap. Together, the two set off on the river, heading for the safety of the free states. Along the way they forge a friendship, and get into all kinds of adventure, especially once Duke and King invite themselves along for the trip.
I enjoyed reading this translation of Huckleberry Finn. The artwork is amazing, and really complements the story. The writing is full of the colloquial speech of the original. At times, it did take me a moment to suss out the meaning, but for the most part, I found it easy to understand. I recall reading the book in high school, way back when. It was a good read then, but I kinda wish we’d have had this version instead! I loved seeing Huck grow in the realisation that yes, Jim is just as human as ‘white folks’, with all the same feelings, hopes, and dreams. He decides to follow his intuition and heart, freeing Jim when the runaway slave is sold back into slavery by the pair’s unscrupulous traveling companion, the King.
***Many thanks to Netgalley and Udon House for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
