Before I sat down to read it, I was doubtful I'd enjoy it. I read it as soon
as it appeared and wish every Twainian would read it. I liked it then, and
like it upon reflection, and might even read it again someday. It conforms
to HF only in plot, and it's a carefully crafted fit. The tone, however, is
darker and Pap more menacing than in HF. This seems appropriate, and
reinforces the feeling that the book is pulling back the curtain on the grim
social truths that are just below the surface in HF. But I've always
thought HF was a darker, grimmer, more heavily ironic novel than any critic
has ever had the guts to admit, and that the "problem with the ending" much
ado about not much.  I'm completely baffled that anyone would be startled or
upset to learn that Huck's mother (in this book) is explicitly black. It
makes perfect thematic sense to me. I guess if I had to find a flaw I'd say
that some of the syntax in the dialogue was distracting for me, but that's
something so minor I might not notice it on a second reading. I read it in
two sittings, which is rare for me these days, with so many time
commitments. Now I do wonder how my next reading of HF will be influenced by
having read this book.

Kevin Mac Donnell
Austin TX 78730