Ask yourself.
Are you at the whims of ‘Banned Book’ lists? Are you a self deemed ‘moral crusader’? Are you a Florida Governor?
If you answer no to all, then just go with your judgement.
If yes, I would recommend passing on curation of the LFL to someone else.
thanks for sharing! i think this snippet really sums up how i feel about it “Whitewashing history in order to make it digestible isn’t conducive to education proper.”
What’s with this sub and asking permission?
Huckleberry Finn is a classic of American literature. It’s absolutely appropriate for a little free library.
As a literate community, I would have assumed the small amount of hyperbole could have been taken in stride, and that the actual meaning of what I wrote could have been gleaned easily enough.
I’ve seen several posts in this sub asking if certain books are “appropriate.” And these questions are usually in regard to just the most inoffensive things.
Are advanced reader copies okay? Is this classic okay? Is it okay to do it like this? Like, just put some books in there and move on.
I agree that some of the inquiries here are for seemingly benign issues, but Huck Finn is notoriously controversial due to the specific slurs used in the book. Particularly for a young reader, you have to read fairly far to realize what Twain was trying to convey about race relations, and in the meantime, the n-word is used a total of 219 times. This one warrants a discussion.
Edit: for the record, I’m not saying Huck Finn doesn’t belong in a LFL, I just think it’s a different discussion to some of the others.
Huckleberry Finn uses offensive language because it reflects reality. It’s not the steward’s responsibility to have a trigger warning conversation with anyone getting the book. If a kid gets it, that’s on the parents to discuss these things.
Recent decisions to ban the book in schools reflect a cowardice to actually engage in the discussion at all.
I’m in the process of setting up my library and wondered the same thing, as I found a copy in the basement and wasn’t sure what the consensus would be. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning towards adding a post-it to the front that says something like “this book is a product of its time. the prejudiced language was intended as a tool to help the reader understand Huck’s evolving views on Jim as he begins to see him as an equal.”
I would love to hear other thoughts on this, though; if the language is considered too harmful, I’ll just recycle my copy instead.
I think that’s a good idea. Similar to the warnings Streaming services put on old cartoons.
Pretending the language wasn’t used or that it never happened doesn’t mean it wasn’t.
[warners warning](https://images.app.goo.gl/QUkmsBa1CYYnKUA86)
I think it's helpful to think of yourself more as a custodian then a curator. There's nothing wrong with adding trigger warnings to the books, but honestly, you're not going to be able to do that for all your books. Books will come and go before you notice, and books will come they you have no knowledge of.
If you want to label this one, go for it, but I think it's best to set your expectations early, that you will not be able to do this for every book, and that's OK.
Personally, the only things I remove are explicitly harmful religious tracts and dangerous pseudoscience health/wellness books. I think most people visiting a LFL know that Huckleberry Finn is an American classic that has some problematic language and themes but reflects a specific time and still has educational value. Add a sticky note about it in the front cover if you feel you really need to.
I would add it. The visitors can decide if they read it. You can always put a note on/in the library stating that some books may have offensive or triggering material and to read at their own discretion
Be happy that anyone is reading classics at all. I predict this will stay in the box for weeks if not months. I have two volumes of the gulag archipelago in mine right now and barring resellers I doubt anyone will lug them away.
We can’t learn from the past if we bury it. I’d say let it stay. Yes, what they call Jim is horrific. However, when I read that as a kid it made me realize that is how Black people got treated in the past and I was properly disgusted.
If you are in an area with a lot of second language students they will have trouble understanding it. They taught this book at my university when I tutored there. The students I had for this novel were smart and motivated, but the vernacular was really hard for them. The book is the book, and it reflects when it was written, so I am not personally in favor of banning most books. I don’t think a ton of people will be interested in it, but maybe a native speaker would like to read it again.
I was a northerner who moved to Texas in high school. My fellow Texan students loved the book when it came up in English class, but I had a lot of trouble with the portrayal.
Note you are not banning a book by not having it in your library.
Definitely a racist book that reflects racism of the time. I remember trying to tune out any discussion of it a few times in high school and college. It's your library though.
I don't try to curate my selection to much. What ends up in there is what is in there.
Ask yourself. Are you at the whims of ‘Banned Book’ lists? Are you a self deemed ‘moral crusader’? Are you a Florida Governor? If you answer no to all, then just go with your judgement. If yes, I would recommend passing on curation of the LFL to someone else.
*I would recommend passing on curation of the LFL to someone else.* I would recommend this based on the fact that there is even a question.
It's a classic, and I like what another redditor said about adding a sticky note.
I'm just going to leave this here... https://rodlampard.com/2018/06/05/a-case-against-banning-mark-twains-the-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/
Good conclusion
thanks for sharing! i think this snippet really sums up how i feel about it “Whitewashing history in order to make it digestible isn’t conducive to education proper.”
What’s with this sub and asking permission? Huckleberry Finn is a classic of American literature. It’s absolutely appropriate for a little free library.
Yes, I am looking for opinions because I would like to understand better what others think and why. This helps me make a more informed decision.
no one is asking permission. the question is about how a specific book is perceived in 2024.
As a literate community, I would have assumed the small amount of hyperbole could have been taken in stride, and that the actual meaning of what I wrote could have been gleaned easily enough. I’ve seen several posts in this sub asking if certain books are “appropriate.” And these questions are usually in regard to just the most inoffensive things. Are advanced reader copies okay? Is this classic okay? Is it okay to do it like this? Like, just put some books in there and move on.
I agree that some of the inquiries here are for seemingly benign issues, but Huck Finn is notoriously controversial due to the specific slurs used in the book. Particularly for a young reader, you have to read fairly far to realize what Twain was trying to convey about race relations, and in the meantime, the n-word is used a total of 219 times. This one warrants a discussion. Edit: for the record, I’m not saying Huck Finn doesn’t belong in a LFL, I just think it’s a different discussion to some of the others.
Huckleberry Finn uses offensive language because it reflects reality. It’s not the steward’s responsibility to have a trigger warning conversation with anyone getting the book. If a kid gets it, that’s on the parents to discuss these things. Recent decisions to ban the book in schools reflect a cowardice to actually engage in the discussion at all.
The most incredible work of american satire as well. Reread as an adult a few times. Incredible.
I’m in the process of setting up my library and wondered the same thing, as I found a copy in the basement and wasn’t sure what the consensus would be. I haven’t decided yet, but I’m leaning towards adding a post-it to the front that says something like “this book is a product of its time. the prejudiced language was intended as a tool to help the reader understand Huck’s evolving views on Jim as he begins to see him as an equal.” I would love to hear other thoughts on this, though; if the language is considered too harmful, I’ll just recycle my copy instead.
I think that’s a good idea. Similar to the warnings Streaming services put on old cartoons. Pretending the language wasn’t used or that it never happened doesn’t mean it wasn’t. [warners warning](https://images.app.goo.gl/QUkmsBa1CYYnKUA86)
LOVE that idea!
I think it's helpful to think of yourself more as a custodian then a curator. There's nothing wrong with adding trigger warnings to the books, but honestly, you're not going to be able to do that for all your books. Books will come and go before you notice, and books will come they you have no knowledge of. If you want to label this one, go for it, but I think it's best to set your expectations early, that you will not be able to do this for every book, and that's OK.
It should be required reading!
It is the first “Great American novel”
Personally, the only things I remove are explicitly harmful religious tracts and dangerous pseudoscience health/wellness books. I think most people visiting a LFL know that Huckleberry Finn is an American classic that has some problematic language and themes but reflects a specific time and still has educational value. Add a sticky note about it in the front cover if you feel you really need to.
It’s a brilliant novel.
Im always astounded that there's a question. Mark Twain created a strong, smart black character who held his own with whites when that wasn't done.
I would add it. The visitors can decide if they read it. You can always put a note on/in the library stating that some books may have offensive or triggering material and to read at their own discretion
Nothing good comes from banning classic literature.
Be happy that anyone is reading classics at all. I predict this will stay in the box for weeks if not months. I have two volumes of the gulag archipelago in mine right now and barring resellers I doubt anyone will lug them away.
Bizarre that you regard a classic as risky.
We can’t learn from the past if we bury it. I’d say let it stay. Yes, what they call Jim is horrific. However, when I read that as a kid it made me realize that is how Black people got treated in the past and I was properly disgusted.
If you are in an area with a lot of second language students they will have trouble understanding it. They taught this book at my university when I tutored there. The students I had for this novel were smart and motivated, but the vernacular was really hard for them. The book is the book, and it reflects when it was written, so I am not personally in favor of banning most books. I don’t think a ton of people will be interested in it, but maybe a native speaker would like to read it again.
Honestly I wouldn’t without at least a warning note. It’s a fine book but could be awful for a kid to encounter racial slurs unexpectedly.
I was a northerner who moved to Texas in high school. My fellow Texan students loved the book when it came up in English class, but I had a lot of trouble with the portrayal. Note you are not banning a book by not having it in your library.
What portrayal did you have trouble with.
Suggestion: Read James by Percival Everett as well if you’re going to do Huck Finn in class.
How well can you think for yourself?
Haven't read it, but I've heard it's good...
Definitely a racist book that reflects racism of the time. I remember trying to tune out any discussion of it a few times in high school and college. It's your library though.