Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood

By: Mark Twain

Narrated by: Elijah Wood

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

Audible is pleased to announce the premiere of an exciting new series, Audible Signature Classics, featuring literature’s greatest stories, performed by accomplished stars handpicked for their ability to interpret each work in a new and refreshing way. The first book in the series is Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, performed by Elijah Wood.

Ernest Hemingway said, “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn". One hundred years after its author’s death, this classic remains remarkably modern and poignantly relevant. In this brand new edition, Elijah Wood reads Huck in a youthful voice that may be the closest interpretation to Twain’s original intent. His performance captures the excitement and confusion of adolescence and adventure. Best of all, the immediacy of Wood’s energetic reading sweeps listeners up and makes them feel as though they’re along for the ride, as Huck and Jim push their raft toward freedom.

Stay tuned for more one-of-a-kind performances from actors Kenneth Branagh, David Hyde Pierce, Leelee Sobieski, and more, only from Audible Signature Classics.

Listen to more Audible Signature Classics.;An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.

Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Elijah Wood's performance of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is my nominee for the Narrators' Hall of Fame. Wood's unself-conscious reading doesn't sound like a reading at all." ( AudioFile)

Timeless

I’ve taught The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to high school juniors for many years. Although they don’t truly understand the satire at first, once we finish it and discuss it, they have a better grasp of Twain’s scope. He attacks institutions such as the government, the military, education, religion, dysfunctional family values, and slavery–just to name a few. Through Huck’s innocent observations and Jim’s compassion for human kindness, Huck wrestles with proper conduct by the letter of the law and how, in his heart, he must do the right thing. However, Jim emerges as the true hero by showing a society still concerned with slavery that sacrificing one’s freedom is not as important as caring for another person’s safety and well being. The targets in Twain’s crosshairs should always be held accountable, but the story of human compassion at the heart of Huck’s and Jim’s adventures should be the lasting impression of this novel.
As for Elijah Wood’s performance, I have to say I was a little worried given the movie in which he starred years ago. The movie tried to capture the essence of the novel, and I can’t fault Wood’s performance as a child actor at the time, but the movie was too childish and did not satisfy the more adult themes impressed by the novel. (If ever a movie is made again, it should probably be rated PG-13 or even R in order to get the full flavor of Twain’s tale.) Wood’s Audible performance as an adult was spot on. He captured Huck’s innocent voice, Jim’s language and inflection, and the other dialects inherent in the novel. Well done!

Mostly good narration

The engaging narration makes this book a pleasure to listen to. I only wish Elijah Wood had read it more slowly, or at least made longer pauses. Nick Offerman narrating Tom Sawyer was perfect, but for this book Elijah was too quick. I listen during my car commute, and had to set the audio speed to 0.75x for words to sink in better while staying alert on the road.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Great Book, Great Performance

Would you consider the audio edition of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood to be better than the print version?

Elijah does a great job with the variety of dialects that Mark Twain represents in Huck Finn. His lively, articulate narrative is a delight!

What did you like best about this story?

What a rollicking adventure, with a wonderful moral theme.

Which character ??? as performed by Elijah Wood ??? was your favorite?

They're all great, but the moment when Jim tells the story of striking his daughter is heart-wrenching. So, Jim it is!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Above, plus the delights of the observations of the futility, but rich fun of it all at the end.

Any additional comments?

Great book - fun to revisit as a mature adult...

Breathtaking

A time machine took me to the best days of my childhood, a must read, a perfect piece of literature

Enjoyable Classic.

Enjoyed Elijah Wood's narration of this wonderful Mark Twain Classic...gave it a bit of freshness. R.I.P. Hal Holbrook, you did Samuel Clemens proud.

Wonderful!

This classic tale is so fun as an audiobook. My husband and I have both read the book in our college days. We listened to the audiobook while driving across country and it was wonderful choice. Elijah Wood has a masterful grip on the dialect and really brings the characters to life.

the Best

Elijah Wood did a fantastic job narrating this incredible story. Twain is always a good read.

Performance was great, book okay

I enjoyed Elijah Wood’s performance, however the storyline only held my interest in parts. Mainly the chapters that included the Duke and the King. I think those could’ve been taken out altogether and didn’t add much. But by and by, I enjoyed the conclusion and happy to see Tom Sawyer make an appearance again! I liked Huck Finn’s good natured character too and how he was good to Jim.

A timeless classic

Full of insight into human nature and wisdom regarding the accepted way of things—however misguided and inhumane—Huck Finn is wonderfully brought to life again through Elijah Woods masterful telling. As the author envisioned in his preface, it is an adventure story most certainly for adults, as well as children.

Wonderful!

I enjoyed the narrator so much! He did an amazing job. Couldn’t stop listening to the book! Highly recommend.