The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Seasons Edition -- Summer)

This new audiobook version of Mark Twain's classic American novel, narrated by the wonderful Robin Miles, was an entertaining listen and presents an alternative avenue for new readers (listeners) to access a great work. The plot follows 13 or 14 year-old Huck Finn's adventures traversing the Mississippi River from (fictional) St. Petersburg to (fictional) Pikesville, having escaped first the civilising efforts of the Widow Douglas, then from his abusive father. He's accompanied on his journey by escaped slave, Jim, who's hoping to reach the free state of Illinois, whence he'll purchase the freedom of his family members who remain in slavery in the South. Miles's narration is clear and may assist modern readers to comprehend the Southern vernacular language used throughout the novel. She's a talented voice artist, using a variety of pitch, tones and accents to define the wide cast of characters. It's a rollicking good tale, cleverly satirical and ultimately heartwarming. Appropriate to the context, racial epithets and racist attitudes appear liberally throughout, which will be confronting to a modern audience. However, the central character and the tone of the work are sympathetic to the plight of Jim, and decidedly anti-slavery, exposing the hypocrisy and repugnance of the views of many in the Antebellum South. Younger readers (listeners) may require some guidance in this regard. I have no hesitation in recommending this audiobook edition, both to established fans of Twain's writing (like myself), and new reader-listeners. My thanks to the publisher Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook edition.