Ciao, amici! As I was clearing out email this morning, I came across this bit of information: today is Huck Finn’s anniversary.
More accurately, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain was first published on February 18, 1885. (This link is to a Kindle version that costs 49¢ and has 13 stories in it—a steal, in my humble opinion.)
I’m not going to tell you about Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain, nor am I going to discuss his writing style or the contents of this book.
But I am marking the occasion for a few reasons:
- It’s Mark Twain.
- This book is still around the top of its respective lists on Amazon (and for good reason).
- I think if he was alive today, he would be an avid supporter of the indie writing movement. He understood a writer’s passion for the craft and understood the compulsion to share our words with the world. After all, it was Twain who said: The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. I’ve always said my reason for being was to bring two amazing human beings into the world. And I still believe that. But I found professional purpose when I started writing fiction.
Whether I’m right or wrong about my third point is immaterial. I am now and always have been a fan of his work, and I’m happy to mark the anniversary of the publication of such an important piece of American literature.
·•◊♦◊•·
What about you? When did you find purpose? Let’s talk about it.
- Image of book cover courtesy of E. W. Kemble (1861–1933) – illustrator [Public domain]
- Image of Mark Twain courtesy of wikicommons [Public domain]
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Cool post. I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up.
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Peter Pan can tell you about a land where you never have to. 😉
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Cool, and they have pirates there.
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And hand-eating crocs! 🐊
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Yeah, I think you’re bang on the money when it comes to point 3. Nice to think so anyway 🙂
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It is nice to think so. And as he isn’t here to tell us otherwise… 😉
Thanks, Jess.
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I think everyone loves Huck Finn.I have always labeled him as one of my all time favorite literary characters (along with King Arthur and Robin Hood).I still have my paperback copy and still think of poling down the river on a raft. Mark Twain is one of the writers I would love to sit down and talk to today. I’m off to grab that .49c Kindle deal.Talk about a steal!
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I also love King Arthur and Robin Hood. Shocking, isn’t it? What do you think of Ivanhoe? That’s another favorite of mine, though not as well known.
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LOL!. Of course you love King Arthur and Robin Hood. I don’t remember the story of Ivanhoe that well, but I do recall seeing a movie that I absolutely loved. And then there is the Scarlet Pimpernel 🙂
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It’s so wrong that we think so similarly.
I’m also a fan of Athos, Porthos, Aramis, d’Artagnan, and the Man in the Iron Mask.
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One of my all-time favorite books. Needless to say, I grabbed by 49 cent copy. One of the things I remember about Mark Twain (aside from his writing) was that he was born the year of Halley’s Comet. Supposedly he said something to the effect that he came into the world with Halley’s Comet and he would go out with it. He did in 1910.
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I remember reading that somewhere. A man like that deserves a cosmic arrival and sendoff, I think.
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I agree.
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I love his work and Huckleberry Finn is timeless and rightly deserves to be so successful! I love the quote by Mark Twain and the book cover is wonderful! Modern day paperbacks just aren’t the same! Great post, Staci and lovely to be informed about this special birthday.
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Modern paperbacks aren’t the same, are they? So glad you enjoyed this post, Annika.
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My dad always said Huck Finn and Treasure Island were his favorite books growing up. He gave his battered copy of Huck Finn to my sons, and they loved hearing him read it to them when they were younger.
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What a wonderful keepsake to remind them of treasured memories. I have my grandfather’s copies of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (which we used to read together) and his family Bible. Those three books are among my most cherished possessions.
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I sometimes wonder if most of the classic authors would be more indie than traditional.
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I wonder that, too, and I go back and forth with my decisions. But even if they stayed traditionally published, I think a lot of them would support indie efforts. At least, I hope so.
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I vote that we make a time machine to check. Also for me to get one book published during the early years of fantasy.
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When you figure out time travel, count me in. I agonized over my time travel story, so I know I don’t have the science chops to pull off designing a real device. LOL
It would be cool to publish back then, though, wouldn’t it? I’d probably have to have a man’s name, though.
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I loved the mischievous, complex character of Huck Finn! If only our writing can stand the test of time like Twain’s.
My daughter is, and always will be, my greatest accomplishment.
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If anyone ever compared my talent to Twain’s for a moment, let alone a lifetime, I’d be honored beyond words.
And I know what you mean about your offspring being your greatest accomplishment. I feel the same way about mine.
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Happy Anniversary Huck! I don’t think its on my Kindle. I’m going to have to reread it, thanks Staci. It sounds like our purpose for being here are the same our kids and writing!
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Both noble pursuits, I think, Denise. Happy Monday!
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Huck Finn, I still love the book!
When did I find purpose? I’ve found different purposes at major events in my life. As a kid with new found faith, my purpose was to live that faith. In high school, my purpose was to be a good student. As a young mom, my purpose was to nurture the little being in my care. And now, as an empty nester, I’m feeling the middle aged time crunch, so my purpose is to feed my Learning and Growth Monsters as well as my Creative and Kindness Monsters so they will be strong and active in the time I have left.
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I love that, Priscilla. And I wish you continued success as you strive for your goals.
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I grabbed my copy too. You are right. This is a steal.
I believe my purpose is three fold; bringing joy to other through my family, my writing, and my food. And if I make someone smile, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.
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That’s beautiful, Michele.
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I always liked Mark Twain’s writing. I also enjoyed Hal Holbrook’s one-man shows on Mark Twain. Thanks for the reminder about this great man.
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I never saw those (or even knew about them). But I can see Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain, so I’m sure that was entertaining. (I just found this on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_rTMNnxwSE)
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He was terrific. Thanks, Staci
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Nice! Twain’s storytelling ability was phenomenal. It’s no wonder his books are still popular today. 🙂
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I agree. One hundred years from now, someone will probably be writing a similar post and he’ll still have the same ranking. (Assuming people write blog posts in the future, of course.)
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Wow, you are right, Staci! I can’t believe this piece of work is only 49 cents. Of course, I scooped it up. Thanks for the tribute to an amazing writer!
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I couldn’t believe it was so low, either. I grabbed my copy instantly. Glad to have found another Twain fan. 🙂
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