What do you think?
Rate this book
Tom Sawyer Abroad / Tom Sawyer, Detective
"Do you reckon Tom Sawyer was satisfied after all them adventures? No, he wasn't. It only just pisoned him for more." So Huck declares at the start of these once-celebrated but now little-known sequels to his own adventures. Tom, Huck, and Jim set sail to Africa in a futuristic air balloon, where they survive encounters with lions, robbers, and fleas and see some of the world's greatest wonders in Tom Sawyer Abroad. The boys then turn sleuth in Tom Sawyer, Detective as they attempt to solve a mysterious murder in this burlesque of the immensely popular detective novels of the time. Replete with down-home, backwoods Missouri wisdom, these two stories tackle every subject from the Crusades and chronometers to ghosts and swearing popes.
This authoritative edition includes all of the original illustrations Mark Twain commissioned from Dan Beard ("the only man who can correctly illustrate my writings") and A. B. Frost ("the best humorous artist that I know"). Based directly on the author's manuscripts, incorporating only his revisions and restoring many passages once suppressed by fastidious editors, the texts are presented here in the only form Twain intended them.
This authoritative edition includes all of the original illustrations Mark Twain commissioned from Dan Beard ("the only man who can correctly illustrate my writings") and A. B. Frost ("the best humorous artist that I know"). Based directly on the author's manuscripts, incorporating only his revisions and restoring many passages once suppressed by fastidious editors, the texts are presented here in the only form Twain intended them.
205 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1896
15 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Mark Twain
8,882 books18.7k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 31, 2015
Although these stories lack most of the complexity of narrative and character of Huck Finn, they are rather fitting accompaniments to Tom Sawyer. While it is argued that in Huckleberry Finn we note the titular characters coming-of-age of sorts, these volumes do somewhat the same for Tom Sawyer who moves beyond chicanery and childish trickery to more mindful machinations.
All the literary semi-high-mibdedness aside, these are two fun books about kids having adventures, one based on travel and the other on murder mystery which is a good read for kids to read or the adults too read it to them, or for themselves.
All the literary semi-high-mibdedness aside, these are two fun books about kids having adventures, one based on travel and the other on murder mystery which is a good read for kids to read or the adults too read it to them, or for themselves.
February 4, 2021
An enjoyable pair of tales continuing with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn's friendship and adventures. Tom Sawyer abroad pokes at the American and Christian claims to monopolies on exceptionalism and salvation. I also enjoyed Twain just telling the reader he would not explain how the balloon worked.
Tom Sawyer, Detective was entertaining as well, especially with Spring Fever in September.
Tom Sawyer, Detective was entertaining as well, especially with Spring Fever in September.
June 13, 2025
Another challenge book, and one I wouldn't usually pick up for myself. Fortunately, I have listened to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn on audiobook so I had context.
Tom Sawyer, Detective
It was fun to be reminded of how clever Tom was and see his skills put to good use for once. I almost guessed the solution, but not quite, so I enjoyed this one.
Tom Sawyer Abroad
Philosophical musings mixed with some frightful racism as the trio traveled the world. Huck Finn was more empathetic than we usually give him credit for.
Tom Sawyer, Detective
It was fun to be reminded of how clever Tom was and see his skills put to good use for once. I almost guessed the solution, but not quite, so I enjoyed this one.
Tom Sawyer Abroad
Philosophical musings mixed with some frightful racism as the trio traveled the world. Huck Finn was more empathetic than we usually give him credit for.
September 7, 2019
Mark Twain seems to capitalize on his previous success with his previous masterpieces. It does not mean, though, that the writing is of worse quality. Tom Sawyer Detective, for instance, is a piece of a very good narrative evolving the entangled plot and ingeniousness of its main protagonist who saves the day. Entertaining as they are, these stories do not raise any social issues as it was the case of their predecessors. I have got an impression that Mark Twain unable to let go his beloved heroes is having fun with them for the pleasure of his enormously large readership.
May 8, 2014
Damn good hilarious and enjoyable book. Brilliant perspective of Huck Finn for life, especially the part where he gives his insights on The Crusade to Tom. What's not in this book? There is humour, action, bit of detectives, perception of world and philosophical debates in quite ligher tone. Ain't that man Mark Twain was genius in understanding real life. Go hell with all philosophies and theories and live life and let live BECAUSE THERE AIN'T MUCH USE OF AND/OR/IF, WHAT IS SIMPLY WHAT IS.
May 16, 2012
Tom sawyer abroad was ok, but Tom Sawyer Detective was great. It was short, but well thought out.
July 6, 2022
My son loved these!! Even though the adventures are slightly far fetched they are perfectly understood by an adventurous 10 year old
January 18, 2022
Tom Sawyer Abroad Review (2 Stars):
I thought there was a slight plot hole between the last book and this one. At the end of the last book Huck told us that Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas adopted him. This would have caused a problem since the beginning of this book have Tom and Huck back home like normal. However, upon review of the adoption statement in the last book, Huck says that he needed to get out of the territory fast because she wanted to adopt him. So I guess it all makes sense now.
The other inconsistency is how Huck feels about riches in this book. He had his riches in previous books and he decided that he didn't much care for it. But in this book when they come up with the idea of how to make a fortune Huck was just as excited about it as the others. It is possible that, being a teenager, he had forgotten his prior resolve and was once again interested in riches. But it would have been nice if Huck's character had stayed the same from book to book.
One aspect of this story that I REALLY didn't like was how Tom treated Huck and Jim. There are many times when they are discussing different matters and Tom is downright mean to them because they don't know as much as he does. I think the author wanted to have some playful banter between the characters that the reader would enjoy since we know who was in the right. However, it just made me dislike Tom. I think other authors have been able to pull this effect off in a much kinder and humorous way.
Lastly, I think that Tom Sawyer Abroad should mostly be treated like a dream that Huck had or something. It adds a fictional aspect that goes far beyond that of any of the other books and doesn't really fit well with the other stories. Tom Sawyer Detective picks up shortly after Huck Finn and there is no mention of the events in Tom Sawyer Abroad.
Tom Sawyer Detective (4 Stars):
This book was back to the same feel of the original Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. It was short and sweet but it was SO good! I loved the mystery I loved the twist at the end and I loved the writing! I also liked that Tom and Huck were back on their own. With the way that Tom treated Huck and Jim in the last book I was worried there would be more of it in this book. But without Jim there weren't as many opportunities for that! So all in all this was a very good installment in the series!
I thought there was a slight plot hole between the last book and this one. At the end of the last book Huck told us that Aunt Sally and Uncle Silas adopted him. This would have caused a problem since the beginning of this book have Tom and Huck back home like normal. However, upon review of the adoption statement in the last book, Huck says that he needed to get out of the territory fast because she wanted to adopt him. So I guess it all makes sense now.
The other inconsistency is how Huck feels about riches in this book. He had his riches in previous books and he decided that he didn't much care for it. But in this book when they come up with the idea of how to make a fortune Huck was just as excited about it as the others. It is possible that, being a teenager, he had forgotten his prior resolve and was once again interested in riches. But it would have been nice if Huck's character had stayed the same from book to book.
One aspect of this story that I REALLY didn't like was how Tom treated Huck and Jim. There are many times when they are discussing different matters and Tom is downright mean to them because they don't know as much as he does. I think the author wanted to have some playful banter between the characters that the reader would enjoy since we know who was in the right. However, it just made me dislike Tom. I think other authors have been able to pull this effect off in a much kinder and humorous way.
Lastly, I think that Tom Sawyer Abroad should mostly be treated like a dream that Huck had or something. It adds a fictional aspect that goes far beyond that of any of the other books and doesn't really fit well with the other stories. Tom Sawyer Detective picks up shortly after Huck Finn and there is no mention of the events in Tom Sawyer Abroad.
Tom Sawyer Detective (4 Stars):
This book was back to the same feel of the original Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. It was short and sweet but it was SO good! I loved the mystery I loved the twist at the end and I loved the writing! I also liked that Tom and Huck were back on their own. With the way that Tom treated Huck and Jim in the last book I was worried there would be more of it in this book. But without Jim there weren't as many opportunities for that! So all in all this was a very good installment in the series!
October 5, 2022
Yeah, didn't really need to read these. While it might be intellectually stimulating to imagine these characters in various genres and situations, actually reading them was downright depressing. Tom Sawyer Abroad reminded me of those RPGs where you get a balloon ship to soar over the game world after a while. It was the best of the two because while it didn't have a plot, the only place "abroad" they go to is Africa (and really pretty much only the Sahara dessert in Africa), and the farcical vaudeville act of Tom-Huck-Jim gets old REALLY quickly, it has the best illustrations, and its
saving grace is this passage:
"And look at Russia. It spreads all around and everywheres, and yet ain't no more important in this world than Rhode Island is, and hasn't got half as much in it that's worth saving. My Uncle Abner, which was a Presbyterrian preacher and the bluest they made, he always said that if size was a right thing to judge importance by, where would heaven be, alongside of the other place? He always said heaven was the Rhode Island of the Hereafter."
Tom Sawyer, Detective I found to be incredibly boring, overly-plotted and plodding, and confusing while still being predictable. I think a whole line of Tom Sawyer, Detective novels is a neat idea, but honestly you're better off reading The Hardy Boys or watching an old episode of Perry Mason .
Too bad Mark Twain never got to write Tom Sawyer, President, Tom Sawyer vs. Crime, Inc. or Tom Sawyer Conquers the Martians.
saving grace is this passage:
"And look at Russia. It spreads all around and everywheres, and yet ain't no more important in this world than Rhode Island is, and hasn't got half as much in it that's worth saving. My Uncle Abner, which was a Presbyterrian preacher and the bluest they made, he always said that if size was a right thing to judge importance by, where would heaven be, alongside of the other place? He always said heaven was the Rhode Island of the Hereafter."
Tom Sawyer, Detective I found to be incredibly boring, overly-plotted and plodding, and confusing while still being predictable. I think a whole line of Tom Sawyer, Detective novels is a neat idea, but honestly you're better off reading The Hardy Boys or watching an old episode of Perry Mason .
Too bad Mark Twain never got to write Tom Sawyer, President, Tom Sawyer vs. Crime, Inc. or Tom Sawyer Conquers the Martians.
November 10, 2018
this one was sitting waiting on my TBR for years now, I adore Mark Twain's duology in the Adventures of Tom and Huck...and been since I finished the manga version lately it was high time to read this one too...
it is divided into two stories and both narrated by Huck Finn in the first one, we will go in an adventure on a hot air balloon with Tom, Jim and Huck, it was a very weird thing to read yet imaginative, but my favourite part is the argument between them three, TOm has a brilliant educated mind, and it was frustrated to see him struggle to debate with the ignorant ,silly ideas that Jim and Huck made, it really showed how arguing with an idiot can be, especially with they think they are right...but it was fun nonetheless, and very amusing, how different people have such train of thought especially illogical ones ..what I didn't like is how it ended, as it was cut short very suddenly and before you know it the adventure came to an end.
the other one is Tom Sawyer Detective, and this time it is only Jim and Huck, what I loved in this one , that it really focused on Tom's brilliant mind, and his deduction work, it would make Sherlock Holmes nod in approval...
by the by..if you are a fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, then this is a treat for you.
it is divided into two stories and both narrated by Huck Finn in the first one, we will go in an adventure on a hot air balloon with Tom, Jim and Huck, it was a very weird thing to read yet imaginative, but my favourite part is the argument between them three, TOm has a brilliant educated mind, and it was frustrated to see him struggle to debate with the ignorant ,silly ideas that Jim and Huck made, it really showed how arguing with an idiot can be, especially with they think they are right...but it was fun nonetheless, and very amusing, how different people have such train of thought especially illogical ones ..what I didn't like is how it ended, as it was cut short very suddenly and before you know it the adventure came to an end.
the other one is Tom Sawyer Detective, and this time it is only Jim and Huck, what I loved in this one , that it really focused on Tom's brilliant mind, and his deduction work, it would make Sherlock Holmes nod in approval...
by the by..if you are a fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, then this is a treat for you.
February 13, 2019
Only referring to "Tom Sawyer, Detective"
I adore "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", I like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and I read "Tom Sawyer Abroad". Yes, this only wasn't a reading of love, just a simple read. The story is somewhat stupid. I think that my expectations should not be too high. It is quite probable that Twain wrote this for the money. Also, he seems to be referring to the then popular detective genre, which I don't know anything about. So, I wouldn't want to hate this book, because I understand that this isn't one from the heart, more an intellectual exercise. If you like Mark Twain this still can be a lot of fun, full of puns and fun. Would I recommend it, though? No.
I adore "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", I like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and I read "Tom Sawyer Abroad". Yes, this only wasn't a reading of love, just a simple read. The story is somewhat stupid. I think that my expectations should not be too high. It is quite probable that Twain wrote this for the money. Also, he seems to be referring to the then popular detective genre, which I don't know anything about. So, I wouldn't want to hate this book, because I understand that this isn't one from the heart, more an intellectual exercise. If you like Mark Twain this still can be a lot of fun, full of puns and fun. Would I recommend it, though? No.
December 20, 2019
Overall, 4 stars.
Tom Sawyer Abroad (2.5-3 stars): It was an okay read. The characters did not feel like they were, and also pretty unrealistic although it is fiction. There were not many moments that made me really into it.
Tom Sawyer Detective (4.5 stars): A much better read and interesting. The Tom Sawyer in this book is the Tom Sawyer of the original two works. When I thought I had the case figured out, Tom made me realise that I missed the mark a tad. The last 20 pages were wonderful.
Tom Sawyer Abroad (2.5-3 stars): It was an okay read. The characters did not feel like they were, and also pretty unrealistic although it is fiction. There were not many moments that made me really into it.
Tom Sawyer Detective (4.5 stars): A much better read and interesting. The Tom Sawyer in this book is the Tom Sawyer of the original two works. When I thought I had the case figured out, Tom made me realise that I missed the mark a tad. The last 20 pages were wonderful.
October 3, 2023
I read these two stories from my Complete Novels of Mark Twain, Volume 2 edited by Charles Neider. My collection used the First Edition texts which seem like they may be different than the authoritative text used in this edition. I found "Tom Sawyer Abroad" to be surprisingly different than the other books in the Tom Sawyer canon. I enjoyed it, nevertheless. It had a few great passages I noted while reading it. "Tom Sawyer, Detective", on the other hand, felt more like the first book.
May 31, 2024
Both these stories are quite well-written, not surprising, considering who the author is. In Abroad Twain dabbles in the new genre of science-fiction, sending Tom and friends Huck and Jim off in a hot air balloon; while Detective is a mystery of sorts. Both stories are narrated by Huck, and contain a number of amusing turns of phrase. Of course, this book also uses language that we would now consider inappropriate, but that was acceptable at the time.
February 24, 2017
Two stories for the Sawyer/Finn fanatics. 'Abroad' is a satire of the science fiction adventure stories of the time. It reads today like proto-steampunk. A weak and ridiculous story which has some great interplay between the three characters. 'Detective' has more of a story, such as it is, but suffers by the absence of Jim.
March 20, 2022
Keep your expectations low for these two novels for children. Abroad, about an impossible balloon trip from Missouri to the Sahara Desert and back, is slight, and embarrassing in its depiction of Jim. Detective is stronger, sending up the tangled plots and explanations of mystery stories while also touching on Twain's fascination with doubles and dual natures.
March 12, 2021
I loved Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as a kid and as an adult but these sequel novels didn’t work for me. Overwritten and filled with over bloated dialogue. Although Tom Sawyer Detective was better written.
January 7, 2023
There are many issues in this book for a modern audience but the narrative is engaging for both stories. I especially like the Tom Sawyer detective - it reminds me of an Agatha Christie novel with the revelation at the end and all the mystery and twists and turns. Very clever writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2017
not in the slightest as gay as the previous ones.
January 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, Twain's writing style is so engaging and entertaining.
September 3, 2025
The continuing adventures of Tom and Huck.
October 14, 2013
"Do you reckon Tom Sawyer was satisfied after all them adventures?"
Huck's famous opening lines to 'Tom Sawyer Abroad' (1894).
...and neither were many millions Tom Sawyer fans worldwide, dear Huck.
I am aware, after reading my version's introduction at least, that many critics were not impressed with these two books. In my opinion though, they missed the point by a wide margin for they focused on all the wrong reasons.
The main critical point (my version is by Stuart Hutchinson) is the character of 'nigger' Jim in Tom Sawyer Abroad (which have led to many controversies), he is barely mentioned in the other book. He argues on and on about the issue of slavery and concludes by saying that Mark Twain's father owned slaves (as if that proves anything). Well, so did half of America. Jim provides an interesting addition and sheds an important light on the character of the other two boys (especially Huck), despite him being somewhat of a simpleton for added comic relief. In fact I think that it was revolutionary to make such a character (and grown up at that) as one of the main characters.
Twain proved that Jim was no barbarian, although he was uneducated. He had a heart, proved that he was trustworthy in the company of these boys and frauds (he was never influenced negatively), he always stuck by the Bible and he always tried to question Sawyer's extraordinary theories. Yes Sawyer 'abused' him for the questions were usually idiotic but one must remember that Sawyer is just a boy and that it normal. Huck is no different. Even the Egyptians in the chapter 'Jim Standing Siege' are more 'barbarous' than Jim as they tried to kill him even after he displayed the American flag as an olive branch.
What I think Hutchinson should have focused on, with all due respect, is the sense of fantastical adventure that Tom Sawyer Abroad is all about. Of course the 'balloon aircraft' is a product of Twain's fertile imagination and could not have made those journeys but these are the sort of things that boys relish. Hutchinson mentions that Twain desired to shift the setting to Europe as it was more fashionable at the time. Did it not occur to him that at no point did Tom, Huck or Jim step one foot on Europe's soil?
However I need not go on criticizing the critic. No wonder that the editor recommended reading the two stories and then the introduction. My point is that Tom Sawyer Abroad is an exceptional piece of children's literature, that deserves to be read at least. As it is, it is almost forgotten or dismissed as inferior. Well, I enjoyed every chapter and I can proudly say that it made me feel like a little boy again and remind me of all the trouble I got into myself. But Twain made his version all the more special as he added lions, fantastical adventures and an unforgettable cast of characters that is the stuff of dreams. Thanks Mark Twain from the bottom of my heart, I will treasure this book always for my children after me.
As for 'Tom Sawyer Detective' (1896), it is just as delightful if not as fantastical. Jim is only mentioned, but I did not think that the story was in anyway compromised because of his exclusion. The detective genre was becoming increasing popular and Twain thought he could give it a try. As the world is never satisfied "with all them adventures".
Pure Class, especially as children's literature. You can buy this book featuring these two remarkable very cheap nowadays, so what are you waiting for, Sawyer fans?
Huck's famous opening lines to 'Tom Sawyer Abroad' (1894).
...and neither were many millions Tom Sawyer fans worldwide, dear Huck.
I am aware, after reading my version's introduction at least, that many critics were not impressed with these two books. In my opinion though, they missed the point by a wide margin for they focused on all the wrong reasons.
The main critical point (my version is by Stuart Hutchinson) is the character of 'nigger' Jim in Tom Sawyer Abroad (which have led to many controversies), he is barely mentioned in the other book. He argues on and on about the issue of slavery and concludes by saying that Mark Twain's father owned slaves (as if that proves anything). Well, so did half of America. Jim provides an interesting addition and sheds an important light on the character of the other two boys (especially Huck), despite him being somewhat of a simpleton for added comic relief. In fact I think that it was revolutionary to make such a character (and grown up at that) as one of the main characters.
Twain proved that Jim was no barbarian, although he was uneducated. He had a heart, proved that he was trustworthy in the company of these boys and frauds (he was never influenced negatively), he always stuck by the Bible and he always tried to question Sawyer's extraordinary theories. Yes Sawyer 'abused' him for the questions were usually idiotic but one must remember that Sawyer is just a boy and that it normal. Huck is no different. Even the Egyptians in the chapter 'Jim Standing Siege' are more 'barbarous' than Jim as they tried to kill him even after he displayed the American flag as an olive branch.
What I think Hutchinson should have focused on, with all due respect, is the sense of fantastical adventure that Tom Sawyer Abroad is all about. Of course the 'balloon aircraft' is a product of Twain's fertile imagination and could not have made those journeys but these are the sort of things that boys relish. Hutchinson mentions that Twain desired to shift the setting to Europe as it was more fashionable at the time. Did it not occur to him that at no point did Tom, Huck or Jim step one foot on Europe's soil?
However I need not go on criticizing the critic. No wonder that the editor recommended reading the two stories and then the introduction. My point is that Tom Sawyer Abroad is an exceptional piece of children's literature, that deserves to be read at least. As it is, it is almost forgotten or dismissed as inferior. Well, I enjoyed every chapter and I can proudly say that it made me feel like a little boy again and remind me of all the trouble I got into myself. But Twain made his version all the more special as he added lions, fantastical adventures and an unforgettable cast of characters that is the stuff of dreams. Thanks Mark Twain from the bottom of my heart, I will treasure this book always for my children after me.
As for 'Tom Sawyer Detective' (1896), it is just as delightful if not as fantastical. Jim is only mentioned, but I did not think that the story was in anyway compromised because of his exclusion. The detective genre was becoming increasing popular and Twain thought he could give it a try. As the world is never satisfied "with all them adventures".
Pure Class, especially as children's literature. You can buy this book featuring these two remarkable very cheap nowadays, so what are you waiting for, Sawyer fans?
May 20, 2007
(The rating is an average: Tom Sawyer Abroad gets 5 stars, and Tom Sawyer, Detective 3.)
Relatively unknown, Tom Sawyer Abroad is an insightful masterpiece of parody, directed mainly at insufferable know-it-alls, but never forgoing a chance to take a poke at religion or contemporary society. Set after Huckleberry Finn, this novella tells the tale of Tom, Huck and the former slave Jim being whisked across the Atlantic on a dirigible balloon. Time after time, Tom tries to show off his superior knowledge to Huck and Jim, only to be stopped short by an innocent question from one of the latter. My father read this book aloud to the brother and I when I was about eight or nine; and several times we had to call it a night, having been reduced to tears and unable to stop laughing. (The paperback edition I own, on the back cover, lists the principals as "Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Nigger Jim"; I would like very much to know when it was printed, but the title page, on which the publishing date would normally appear, is missing.)
In Tom Sawyer, Detective, Tom solves a murder mystery; his Uncle Silas is the prime suspect. Here, Tom displays a gift for observation and an admirably keen intuition that both starkly contrast with his bumbling storytelling in Tom Sawyer Abroad. This story is worth reading, but is not exceptional Mark Twain.
Relatively unknown, Tom Sawyer Abroad is an insightful masterpiece of parody, directed mainly at insufferable know-it-alls, but never forgoing a chance to take a poke at religion or contemporary society. Set after Huckleberry Finn, this novella tells the tale of Tom, Huck and the former slave Jim being whisked across the Atlantic on a dirigible balloon. Time after time, Tom tries to show off his superior knowledge to Huck and Jim, only to be stopped short by an innocent question from one of the latter. My father read this book aloud to the brother and I when I was about eight or nine; and several times we had to call it a night, having been reduced to tears and unable to stop laughing. (The paperback edition I own, on the back cover, lists the principals as "Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Nigger Jim"; I would like very much to know when it was printed, but the title page, on which the publishing date would normally appear, is missing.)
In Tom Sawyer, Detective, Tom solves a murder mystery; his Uncle Silas is the prime suspect. Here, Tom displays a gift for observation and an admirably keen intuition that both starkly contrast with his bumbling storytelling in Tom Sawyer Abroad. This story is worth reading, but is not exceptional Mark Twain.
July 29, 2014
After reading the previous two books and quite enjoying them, I couldn't leave the final adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn unread. As before, "Tom Sawyer Abroad" picks up where the last book left off. Then the boys are immediately carried away on a balloon voyage across the Ocean and into Africa. Jim (no longer a slave) is also aboard and together they'll go through some wild adventures.
Forme it was strange to see these characters out of their environment and I didn't much appreciate Twain's way of setting up the plot (the way the balloon trip started), or his showcasing of the alien places and peoples. I think he's much better at handling his native US region.
The other story, "Tom Sawyer Detective"is in my opinion much better. Not as good as the first two books, but that's understandable as it's much shorter. Here the boys are back at Aunt Sally's where they get involved in a tricky murder business. It's not Sherlock Holmes, but not too far from it.
So that's it, no more of these two. But I might come back to them some day!
Forme it was strange to see these characters out of their environment and I didn't much appreciate Twain's way of setting up the plot (the way the balloon trip started), or his showcasing of the alien places and peoples. I think he's much better at handling his native US region.
The other story, "Tom Sawyer Detective"is in my opinion much better. Not as good as the first two books, but that's understandable as it's much shorter. Here the boys are back at Aunt Sally's where they get involved in a tricky murder business. It's not Sherlock Holmes, but not too far from it.
So that's it, no more of these two. But I might come back to them some day!
August 29, 2016
It must have been at least 25 years since I last read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and boy, did I love them at the time. So I was looking forward to reading this sequel, but it turned out to be a bit of a disappointment.
Especially the first book, Tom Sawyer Abroad, just did not feel right. In a way it reminded me more of Jules Verne than Mark Twain, for example the hint of science fiction (the balloon and some of the adventures) and the illogical and rushed start of the story (how the boys ended up in the balloon). But where Verne really uses the science to carry his stories, Tom Sawyer just floats from one place to the other without really connecting to anything. (2 stars)
I liked Tom Sawyer Detective better, although it was very thin and lacking some depth of characters. The boys are back on home ground, where they have to solve a murder of which Tom’s uncle is accused. Because of the thinness of the book, it seems a bit rushed, but it is actually a very clever plot, with the boys making logical steps to gather clues and solving the mystery. (3+ stars)
Especially the first book, Tom Sawyer Abroad, just did not feel right. In a way it reminded me more of Jules Verne than Mark Twain, for example the hint of science fiction (the balloon and some of the adventures) and the illogical and rushed start of the story (how the boys ended up in the balloon). But where Verne really uses the science to carry his stories, Tom Sawyer just floats from one place to the other without really connecting to anything. (2 stars)
I liked Tom Sawyer Detective better, although it was very thin and lacking some depth of characters. The boys are back on home ground, where they have to solve a murder of which Tom’s uncle is accused. Because of the thinness of the book, it seems a bit rushed, but it is actually a very clever plot, with the boys making logical steps to gather clues and solving the mystery. (3+ stars)
January 18, 2022
Really good - the perfect job for my boy Tom! Leaves you sad to have finished it. Age 10-14.
May 10, 2015
Historias graciosas logradas como las de Tom Sawyer. La primera, aparentemente de carácter original ( hecho de la vida real). En la segunda, hubo un personaje sin conclusión (el viajero con el cual competía Tom) y entiendo por qué fue vetado el libro en América. Las palabras traducidas al español como «amito» y «el negro» referidas a un esclavo le dan connotación fuerte al racismo. Es un libro que vale la pena leer justamente por el tipo de reflexión que hacen el esclavo y Huck Finn cuando tienen alguna opinión encontrada con Tom.
January 4, 2013
Kind of strange, it's like the recent trend of taking classic literary characters, and updating them or combining them with something weird, but in this case it was done by the original author. It's not terrible, it clearly didn't mean as much to Twain as the earlier books, but there's some real creativity at play in these stories.
March 2, 2015
Tom Sawyer, Detective is an enjoyable continuance of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and is worth the read. Tom Sawyer Abroad however held no such interest, and if need be can be neglected, though the aspect of Twain placing the boys and Jim in the hot air balloon leads one to think that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz must look to its laurels...
May 4, 2014
There are more Tom Sawyer stories, who knew? I definitely would not recommend these, as they fall pretty heavily into uninspired sequel territory, however, there are still moments of satirical brilliance which make them worthwhile.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews