Huckleberry Finn and Mark Twain:

About the Book

Mark Twain’s famed book , Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, has produced as much (if not more) attention for itself as any other book by an American writer.  Since its publication it has been an ongoing source of controversies.  It has been read by many millions of readers, has been repeatedly criticized, and frequently banned as few other novels have been.

Shortly after publication in 1885 in America, it was criticized and banned for its low grade language and the poor conduct example of it main character.  As it gradually overcame this reputation, it was treated on the one hand as a “juvenile” book in our libraries and on the other hand as a work loaded with serious messages for adult readers.  In more recent decades it has been widely read as a part of the curriculum in many schools and colleges.  Lately, it has also become the center of  a heated discussion on racism.  As a result it has continued to be banned, threatened, with being banned, and treated to untold hours of serious debate.

While working in the library of Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) Charles A. Norton became aware of need for a book treating all of these aspects and others of  Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  The work, Huckleberry Finn and Mark Twain: Death, Deceit, Dreams, and Disguises was conceived to fill these needs.  To better appreciate the status of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, its readers must not only approach it knowledgeably but must begin to be aware of and understand the history of its author, Mark Twain himself.  Although one of America’s most discussed authors, Mark Twain and his background continues to be an important and  debatable factor in his books.  Only by a study of his life and career as well as his works can he be properly approached.  His life appears to be closely tied to his writing and must be considered to properly judge his work.  Huckleberry Finn and Mark Twain: Death, Deceit, Dreams, and Disguises works to show how the novel grew out of the author’s history.  It looks at all of the main controversies and themes and tries to present all sides wherever possible.  It is a book that is aimed at the young student, suggesting further readings.  In several instances, however, it covers new ground and presents arguments useful to the scholar.  It is a new look at one of America’s great classics.

With the interest in Mark Twain and his work currently reaching its highest point, as we move into a new century, it would appear that his novel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn will be read and discussed for many decades to come.

About the Author

Charles A. Norton was born in 1920.  He is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and has lived the past 50 years in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, Ohio.  He was educated in the Cincinnati Public Schools and the Southern Ohio Business College, becoming an Administrative Assistant in the Baldwin Company.  In 1942 he married Harriet Schetter.  Their marriage produced 5 childrlen and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Beginning in the 1940’s, he began attending the University of Cincinnati Evening College concentrating on courses that were relateld to his interests in books and creative writing.  After taking classes in library science, he worked on the staffs of the Lloyd Library in Cincinnati and then took a position on the staff of the King Library at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  His interest in books and writing were formed at an early age.  He read Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer when he was 11 years of age, and followed this by reading Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  His interest in books and reading many authors would continue and flourish during the next 70 years.

His special interest in Mark Twain’s life and works began when he met Edgar Marquess Branch at Miami University in the course of copying materials in the library for Dr. Branch on the first Xerox copy machine at the school.  Taking Dr. Branch’s recommendations on what to read of and about Mark Twain, he began his fascinating relationship with the life and works of the great American author.  Dr. Branch is noted as one of several leading Mark Twain scholars..

Charles A. Norton, the author of Huckleberry Finn and Mark Twain since that time has become the author of several books: Melville Davisson Post; Man of Many Mysteries (2nd Ed. 2000; 1973); Writing Tom Sawyer, the Adventures of a Classic (1983); Mark Twain and the Jumping Frog: Simon Wheeler and Huckleberry Finn, a Genetic Relationship (1992).  His work includes, The Circuit Riders :poems celebrating Bishop Asbury and his itinerant preachers, 1785-1816 (1988); John Wesley in Transit :poems (1991); and a series of chapbooks.

Since retirement from library work, he has continued to write and publish.  He has been a moderator of seminars in the I.L.R., the University of Cincinnat’s program for retirees, where he has conducted classes in Mark Twain’s life and works and creative writing.  He is an active member of The Mark Twain Circle of America and is associated with other groups devoted to Mark Twain.