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Bella (Kiki)
Not necessarily. JAMES will still be enjoyable to you.
Nelda
I agree with Kiki. This book will stand alone on its own merits and will be an enjoyable read.
Stephanie
I think you should. The beginning of “James” felt to me like a checking of boxes to mention each of the adventures in Huck Finn. Yet none of them were told with any discussion, description, or explanation, so if you don’t know Huck Finn, it’s just an unfamiliar reference. It won’t stop you from understanding James, but it would certainly be more enjoyable.
Jessie
I feel like it would help. I hadn't read it, but I skimmed the wikipedia page and I was still a bit confused during the first part of the book. The events just felt so random and strange to me. But, eventually I was able to get into it for it's own sake. So, it depends on how closely you want to get the references and the setting.
Lainie
Absolutely!!! It completely adds to the experience of reading James and makes it more interesting to see where and why the author stays true to the Twain narrative and where he diverges. It really takes the book to a new level in terms of provoking thought and discussion. Plus, HF/Twain is classic American literature, you can only benefit from reading. I listened for free with my subscription service, and the narrator was Elijah Wood who does an amazing job (I understand the dialect can be difficult when actually reading).
Sarah
No. I read Huck Finn in high school (16-18 years ago). Bits and pieces in the beginning of James felt vaguely familiar to me since I read Huck Finn, but eventually this book takes on a life of its own
Savannah
No but you will get more out of it if you do. The contrast between how James is portrayed in both novels will be striking and significant.
Denise
I haven't read Huckleberry Finn either, but I enjoyed this book.
Jean
At least read the wikipedia plot summary. I read Huckleberry Finn 30ish years ago. Don't remember a heck of a lot and what little I remember was not in James.
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