Twain’s book made its Mark on history

reluctant to help him evade his owners, Huck soon becomes attached to Jim and the pair become close friends, with their relationship exploring the deep-set racism that was so prevalent at the time.

Using coarse language and written in colourful colloquialisms, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn was controversial when first published, and was subsequently banned by many libraries, schools and colleges over the years.

Many considered the realism of the book to portray racist sentiment, deemed to be inappropriate for children.

However, since 1884, the novel has seen at least 700 worldwide editions, has been translated into more than 50 languages, and still sells around 200,000 copies every year – by some estimates, the book has sold more than 20 million copies.

As well as being taught in literature classes, the novel has also spawned various film and TV adaptations.

In 1939, Metro-GoldwynMayer released a feature length film starring Mickey Rooney, before a wellreceived musical version followed in 1974.

Twain’s masterpiece is thought to have influenced countless generations of writers, and such is the lasting legacy his work, Ernest Hemingway once said: “All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.”