The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Mark Twain

Jan 1920 · Harper & Brothers

About this eBook

The book that introduced the world to the iconic American characters of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, this 1876 novel by Mark Twain follows the mischievous exploits of the two young boys, who find themselves in situations both humorous and dangerous. Never short of ways to stir up trouble in his hometown on the Mississippi River, Tom uses his wits to get both in and out of tight spots, often with Huck at his side. Featuring moments of significant social commentary, these interconnected tales essentially served as a dry run for Twain's notably weightier sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Ratings and reviews

The adventures of Tom Sawyer was an outstanding book which I recommend everyone to read. I would also read this book more than once. It starts out with a young boy named Tom Sawyer living with his aunt Polly. His aunt Polly gets upset with Tom not doing what she asks instead of wanting to go play and skip school. During those moments Tom had, he thinks he can get away with just about anything with aunt Polly as long as he checks in with her. Until one day, Tom gets into some trouble by getting into a fight with a young boy from St. Louis. Aunt Polly punishes Tom by making him white wash the fence which Tom doesn’t find ‘fun’. While Tom was washing the fence every day a friend came up and asked to help since Tom made it look appealing and not something he hated. Then soon after, a couple of his friends paid Tom to paint the fence because they enjoyed it, which Tom didn’t mind at all. After the fence was done, he heads to town and on the way he notices a beautiful girl moving in to a new house by the name of Becky Thrasher. He tries to catch her attention but she doesn’t bother to care. Then, on the following day, Sunday, he is forced to church which he finds boring.

I read this book in high school as well. When I first read it, it was boring and I detsted reading it. Over the course of the book, however, my feelings changed. This book captivated my adventurous side, and held my attention until the end. Though slow to start, at least for me, Tom Sawyer is an endearing character that Mark Twain has created. It is also a wonderful coming of age story, and I'd suggest it to any teen to read, as well as any adult.

I love this book, it's one of my all-time favorites. I first read it when I was 10 or so, of my own accord. (I'm 13 now.) I think that children should not be forced to read this book (or most others, for that matter) in school, because for most kids that automatically makes them hate it. They should be encouraged to read this and other books, but not forced. Kids will benefit much more if they develop a love for reading on their own, reading at first the books they want to read and then moving on to books of a more serious nature, with only guiding outside influences.

About the author

Mark Twain—the pen name of Samuel Clemens—is widely regarded as America's greatest 19th-century fiction writer. Twain began crafting short stories in his memorably witty style while working as a journalist. The success of these humorous narratives led to further tales, most notably his classic novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its more ambitious follow-up, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. A frequent lecturer, Twain is remembered for both his literary contributions and his outsized personality.