Friday 14 November 2014

Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer by Andrew Joyce


Tom and Huck fans will love it

About the Author:

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until decades later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written three books, and a collection of forty-three stories that is comprised of his hitching adventures, written as veiled non-fiction called BEDTIME STORIES FOR GROWN-UPS, and his latest novel, REDEMPTION. He now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

About Redemption:

I’m always a little wary of writers who take on another author’s characters. I’m not a supporter of fan fiction. I assume that all fan fiction is going to be bad - after all, if the writer is good, why not start their own story? Have they no ideas of their own?

Writing the follow up to classics such as Mark Twain’s is dangerous territory. It throws up all sorts of warning flags for me. These are characters who generations of readers have grown up with. Even if it’s not hallowed ground, it’s at least shaky.

All that being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the book. Joyce manages to capture not only the essence of Twain’s writing style, but also the gentle flow of adventure which the boys find along the way. They are now, of course, all grown up and the tone of the adventures takes a great big step forward into adulthood. Joyce remains true to the boys’ characters in a clever and intriguing way. I think the danger could have been to err too heavily on the side of caution, ending up with two bland characters who blend into one generic youth of the 1860s. Joyce avoids this neatly.

I have to acknowledge the courage the writer shows in taking on Twain’s classics. The vision behind the book was grand, and he stuck to it. He took bold risks, and they pay off. The writing is perfect - he imitates the original books to a tee - and it is well edited and easy to read.

For those who enjoyed the original books, this is a must-read. Get set to reacquaint yourself with favourite characters from your past, and to become lost in the world of your youth.

You can find Andrew Joyce online:



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