3 Reasons to Read "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in 2025

Plus, details for signing up and our week-by-week reading schedule

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Hi there Big Readers!

Springtime is upon us in full force, which makes it the perfect time to dive into the youthful adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the most recognizable names in American literature. (Even more so these days because of the very good and wildly successful James by Percival Everett.)

If you’re an American, you likely read this 1884 book in middle or high school, which means now is the perfect time for a re-read. And if you’ve never read it, you might think it’s too late or not right for adults — think again. Though it’s often categorized as Young Adult literature, I think it’s even more rewarding as an adult. Twain’s novel is accessible to young people, but its true depth is only found when reading it with a more mature lens.

Below, I’ll dive into even more reasons to read this classic story, as well as provide our seven-week reading schedule.

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Huck Finn, as depicted by E. W. Kemble in 1884, the year the book was published.

Huck Finn Is (Perhaps) the Foundation of American Literature

Ernest Hemingway famously said that “all modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” Twain’s novel was one of the first to capture American voices as they really sounded—regional, rough, alive. It broke with literary convention in a way that opened the door for generations of writers to follow. You can draw a straight line from Huck to Scout Finch to Francie Nolan to just about every young narrator who sees the adult world a little too clearly. You’ll have to read it yourself to see if you agree or disagree with Papa Hem’s assertion.

Huck Finn Is Funnier and Sharper Than You Expect

Twain was a humorist at heart, and Huck Finn pulls no punches. He skewers hypocrisy in religion, racism, small-town politics, and much more. The novel’s humor is sly and biting, and still remarkably relevant. Like many great humorists, Twain gets at uncomfortable truths, often by making you laugh first — only for you to then realize what it is you’re laughing about.

Huck Finn Is More Radical Than It First Appears (Just Like Twain Himself)

Underneath the riverboat hijinks and boyhood adventures is a story that subtly but powerfully challenges the dominant views of Twain’s time. Huck’s moral awakening remains one of the most poignant (and subversive) moments in American fiction. Twain uses Huck’s innocence to expose the deep failings of the adult world — and the effect is both moving and damning.

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Subscribe Today!

When you subscribe for just $5/month (or $50/year), you’ll get the following:

• Weekly recaps with background, contextual material, and highlights from that week’s chapters

• Access to our robust weekly discussions, where you’ll get invaluable insights from other readers

• The accountability that you sometimes need to read an all-time classic book

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Reading Schedule

Our reading schedule starts on April 13 and we’re reading roughly 50 pages per week (your specific edition may vary). Keep in mind that the reading schedule is just a guideline. Read ahead if you feel like it, or save a couple of weeks of reading for a single sitting.

The idea is not to have a rigid system but rather a rough guide so that the recaps and discussions make sense.

Here’s the Google Sheets link to the schedule.

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Don’t hesitate to comment or email me back if you have questions or comments. I’m really looking forward to this one.

-Jeremy