The Further Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by Greg Matthews

''The Further Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' begins when Huck is wrongly accused of the murder of Judge Thatcher. Along with the faithful Jim, Huck lights out for the territory, joining the 1849 Gold Rush and encountering on the trail a cast of characters as wily, scabrous, and entertaining as those in Twain's original.

In this sequel Huck and Jim are a little older and a good deal wiser than they were originally. It is refreshing to see them holding their own in a world of grown-up nonsense and bullying, and it is especially gratifying to follow Jim as he slowly and painfully creates a newer, freer self.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Westerns

470 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 3, 1983

About the author

Greg Matthews is the author of eleven books, including The Further Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, heralded by the Christian Science Monitor as “the true sequel to Mark Twain’s masterpiece,” and two acclaimed sagas of the Old West, Heart of the Country and Power in the Blood. He has published three books—Callisto, The Dolphin People, and The Secret Book of Sacred Things—under the nom de plume Torsten Krol. The author describes himself as “a guy in a room, writing, writing.”

Reviews

[Manny]

[The following story was actually produced in four pieces, but my only interesting follow-on prompt was a suggestion at the end that maybe Jim should show up.

I think Chat is better at parodying the Bible, Shakespeare and Chaucer, but it's not too bad at Mark Twain either. I would say its main problems are it's too grammatical and not cynical enough.]

mannyrayner: Can you write an account of what happened on Jan 6 2021 in the style of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn", fancifully assuming that Huck has somehow arrived in Washington and been caught up in the crowd of Trump supporters?

ChatGPT: Sure! Here's a fictional account of the events of January 6, 2021 in the style of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn":

"Well, I never thought I'd end up in Washington D.C., let alone in the middle of a mighty ruckus, but that's just what happened to me. I was aimlessly wanderin' about the city when I stumbled upon a crowd of people, all fired up and carryin' on about some election that had taken place. I ain't much for politics, but I was curious all the same, so I pushed my way through the mob to get a closer look.

Before I knew it, I was caught up in a sea of angry folks, all shoutin' and hollerin' and carryin' signs that read "Stop the Steal." They was marchin' towards a big white building with columns, and it didn't take me long to figure out that this was the U.S. Capitol.

As we got closer, the crowd grew more and more rowdy, until suddenly there was a loud crash and folks was rushin' towards the building. I couldn't hardly believe what I was seein', but it was plain as day – these folks was tryin' to storm the Capitol!

I was rooted to the spot. But then, I remembered what my pa used to tell me about always standin' up for what's right, even if it ain't the popular thing to do. So, I pushed my way back through the crowd, decidin' that I didn't want to be a part of what was happenin' here.

As I made my way back, I could hear the sound of glass breakin' and people shoutin' inside the Capitol. I couldn't believe what I was seein', and it made me right uneasy. I don't take kindly to folks causin' trouble and breakin' the law, and that's just what was happenin' here.

Eventually, I found my way out of the crowd and back onto the streets. I sat down on a nearby bench, tryin' to make sense of what I'd just witnessed. I've been in some tight spots before, but I ain't never seen nothin' like this. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen next and if folks would ever learn to get along.

I was still tryin' to wrap my head around what had just happened when I stumbled upon a little tavern with a TV blarin' in the corner. I wandered inside and ordered me a sarsaparilla, tryin' to calm my nerves. As I was drinkin', I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the news on the TV.

The newscaster was talkin' real fast, and it was hard to make sense of what he was sayin', but I could tell it was about what had just happened at the Capitol. They was showin' pictures of folks breakin' windows and rushin' into the building, and I couldn't hardly believe what I was seein'.

I listened to the newscaster for a while, learnin' about what had happened and the aftermath of the events. Folks was sayin' it was an attack on democracy and that the country was in turmoil. I couldn't help but feel real worried about what was gonna happen next.

I finished my drink and headed back out into the city, still tryin' to make sense of what I'd seen and heard. I may not know much about politics, but I know right from wrong, and what had happened at the Capitol that day just ain't right.

I was still ponderin' on what I'd seen when I heard a familiar voice callin' my name. I turned to see Jim, my old friend and companion from our adventures down the Mississippi.

"Huck! What in tarnation are you doin' here?" he asked, a surprised look on his face.

I filled him in on what had happened and showed him the news on the TV. Jim listened intently, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Dis be a mighty serious business, Huck," he said when I finished. "Dis country's in a right fix if folks is stormin' the Capitol like that."

I nodded, agreein' with him. "I don't know what the future holds, Jim, but I hope folks can learn to put aside their differences and work together."

Jim nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "I sure hope so too, Huck. Dis country's gotta find a way to come together if it's gonna make it through these troubled times."

We sat there for a while, ponderin' on what we'd seen and heard, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry for the future of the country. But I knew that as long as folks like Jim and I were around, there was still hope for a better tomorrow."

[Mike Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit that I was doubtful about starting a sequel to Mark Twain’s masterpiece. That is a hard act to follow. But I think the author has done a very good job of keeping the tone and language of the original while developing the characters beyond where the Twain left them. In fact, a good subtitle for this book would be “Huck Grows Up.” After all his adventures in the original, Twain left Huck basically the same person. In this sequel we can see Huck grow into manhood and wisdom through some truly horrific experiences. In this process, Huck, and Jim as well, comment on the rabid racism and other human flaws with an explicitness not possible for Twain. This also frees Jim’s character to assume an assertiveness and defiance that would not have been acceptable in Twain’s time. This work may not have the genius of Mark Twain but it attacks human cussedness in a manner I think he would approve.

[Craig Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of my favorite books of all time, mark twain would really enjoy reading this ancillary tale of huckleberry Finn coming of age story.

this book is the story of the great westward expansion of the united states, the people who made it happen, the gold fever that drove them to it, and the dangers they faced.

only huckleberry and Jim's wit, cleverness, determination, and perseverance will see them through the challenges and hardships along the way.

Matthews masterfully emotes Twain's favorite scoundrel boy and breaths new life into him at the same time, with a more gritty realistic view on the now wealthy orphan.

I can't recommend this book enough, it deserves far more praise and reads than it receives.

[Limopilot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this better than the original Adventures - of course I was made to read the original and "chose" to read this, but still....
This story really got me involved with the plight of Huck and Jim, and was a great "continuation" of a classic...Not like a sequel so much, but more like a ...and how did the story end?.... writing.

[Mister Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this way back when it was first published; I don't remember much about it except that--at the time--I greatly enjoyed it, and thought the writer had done a fair job with Twain's best character. I need to find it and read it again.

[Liane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my all-time favorites. It taught me about bravery and standing up for what you believe in amidst fear, discrimination, and 'the norms'

[Carol Ashey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Plot wise it got a little formulaic which got old by the end, but it did end with Huck’s innocence declared which made me happy.

Kudos to the author for getting Huck’s character right (mostly) and Jim’s. He did flub on Tom Sawyer’s character though (I think Tom would have believed Huck and helped him escape west), and I didn’t like that he kept Pap alive even though it served the main catalyst for the plot. It would have been more mysterious and adventurous without Pap, especially since his character is changed to sniveling and whiny.

SO RACIST. Not surprising, given the time period, but still. EVERYONE who isn’t white is genuinely treated like dirt and it’s AWFUL to see after while. Definitely righteous anger on the part of POC. I would seriously like to know what idiot on earth is responsible for that UNBIBLICAL and DEGRADING view that POC were inferior and white superior, and why on earth it lasted so damn long in the US? Seriously.

It made sense for Huck’s character to travel the world because of his wanderlust nature, but I wanted him to settle down with the Plains Native Americans, and become like Thaddeus.

Only other big problem I had with the book (aside from the racism) is the Atheistic/Anti-Christian view of religion. Granted, it’s not wrong as hypocrisy and nominal/cultural “Christianity” still abounds (sadly), and Huck’s character was leaning that direction since he wasn’t getting proper teaching and discipleship as was evidenced by the OG Huck Finn, but it was still sad to read that.

[Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pheww ..this was one epic journey, I adore Huck, he is a sly little lier with an innocent pure soul, that kod would have been a real trouble if he went the bad way,but having Jim aside felt like the parent and the friend he truly needed to set him straight whenever the devil tried to tempt his innconet soul, the author was true to Mark Twain's voice ,as for a novel that is my fav, indeed I felt like it is a continuation to it, Huck and Jim were the Huck and Jim I knew and liked,the plot itself is wild , it is" real adentursome" and the chr. Are unique as they are, the plot goes from funny to dark to thrilling I was tired really for my heros ,they are kind souls, surrounded by scum most of the time. And it made me really think hard at how horrible it was to see people as colors and not as human beings..like this was very bad times.indeed. it was more pronounced here than the original,and it was really sad,also how women were treated and how it was almost as bad..those were nad times indeed.
By and by this book is a gem for any Mark Twain's the adventures of Huckleberry Finn..it is a Must read.the only problem is the English it was funny as troublesome but I loved it sooo much.

[Thomas Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A credible continuation of the Huck Finn tale by Mark Twain. Huck is hunted for a murder he did not commit yet he cannot prove himself innocent. Huck needs all his wits and truth-stretching to keep one step ahead as a wanted man. The tale is a little darker and the jokes are a little crude than in Twain's original tale. My guess is it supposed to be a coming of age story.
Huck Finn maintains a conscience throughout all his hardships. He has opportunities to give the bad guys what is coming to them yet generally does not to stoop to their level. Through it all Huck and Jim continue to have each other's back and their friendship, loyalty and respect stand out. Huck gets first-hand experience of the prejudice and mean spirit people have for slaves and people of different ethnic backgrounds. Overall a good yarn.

[Tim Lightfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy successor to the classic American novel. Matthews did a great job of maintaining the tone and flow of the original, as well as the flavor of characters. But here, the characters are slightly more developed, and the scenes a bit more mature. This book would receive a PG-13 or possibly R for mature themes. I feel like, if Twain had taken a stab at a sequel in the early 21st century, this might very well have been the result.

[Tom Runyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sensational book. It felt like a sequel of Mark Twain's classic. I love the way Greg Matthews took Huck and Jim west with the depiction of the westward during the California gold strike of '49. Greg Matthews is an author of considerable talents and this debut novel highlights his prose.

[Van Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best sequel to a classic novel by a later author I have ever read. A funny and exciting adventure! Matthews didn't sabotage Twain's characters with modern angst and pseudo-intellectual tragedy. There was plenty of appropriate angst and bite in the original, of course. I only wish he had written a follow-up, which would have taken place in Hawaii!

[Gaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book but too long. Lots of fantastic adventures and Huck is amazing person for a 14 year old, but I wanted the author to end it earlier and see how he got Huck out of trouble. Otherwise I'd have rated it 5 star.

[Andy Fredricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, adventurous tail.

This book simply grabs you and will not let go. It’s a grand adventure of Huckleberry Finn and I am sad to be done reading it.

[Elynda Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!! Read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn first if you have not read it in awhile.

[Stoyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Matthews has written a great book true to the spirit of the original. Mark Twain would have been proud!

[Clifdisc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suspect this will end up being the best book I read all year.

Prior to starting Greg Matthews The Further Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, I re-read Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and I'm glad I did. The opening chapters of Matthew's novel match the tone and style of Huckleberry Finn perfectly, though some of the plot points are perhaps a bit darker than one would expect from Twain and, wisely, Matthews dials back the dialects a bit. As Huck and Jim travel west as part of the gold rush of 1849, the novel's tone changes as Huck himself is changed by events along the way. Far from being an imitation of Twain's classic work, Matthews spins out a story that is completely original and entirely of his own style.

This book is highly recommended for fans of Huckleberry Finn, fans of Greg Matthews and fans of Westerns.

[Dale Muckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Matthews knows how to tell a story. I have read several of his books. I took up this one after reading the original Huck Finn and the great book, James, which focuses on Jim. Matthews focuses on Huck and touches on several themes. Both Huck and Jim grow in the story. The story and the characters are well-written. Anyone who enjoys a good story will enjoy this book. It is a must read for readers who enjoyed Twain’s Huck Finn and Percival Everett’s James.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This rarley happens, but I just couldn't finish this book. It could have to do with me starting school back up in the middle of it, but it was just too boring for me to make time for. I think it's probobly a better read for children, maybe even boys because there seems to be endless talk of rafts and boyish troubles, not my cup of tea... :(

[Natalie Burningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and interesting history embedded in it.

[Gina Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life on the mighty river

[Courtney Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites ever!

[Abraham]

huck is a boy who is comfuse about what he want to do be civilized or be free to do what ever he want to do.

[Ivanova Marte]

Adventures of a young boy. Read it in high school. I enjoyed reading it.

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creditable extension to the original by Mark Twain, but a wee bit drawn out in places.
Borrowed it in the library many moons ago.

[Sam Hammack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it as a young teenager and I really loved it! Made me want to go find my own adventures!! Just a fun, cross-country adventure...

[Gregory Rothbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun fun fun one of those books I remember reading from long ago. any book that I remember scenes from that long ago must be a favorite.

[Marcus Steffanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Twain would be proud of this book. My favorite of the year so far

[Steve]

I really loved this book. Jim and Huck together on an adventure to the west. Didn't care for some of the language used, but the story and the writing of it were excellent.