I often search the Internet for a particular edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But all I really remember is that it was chunky, yellowish with grey lettering and illustrations, so finding it will be pure luck. For years I refused to buy another copy, longingly waiting to come across that edition I used to own, hoping to rest…
I often search the Internet for a particular edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But all I really remember is that it was chunky, yellowish with grey lettering and illustrations, so finding it will be pure luck. For years I refused to buy another copy, longingly waiting to come across that edition I used to own, hoping to restore it to my library and alongside the book regain something else lost a long time ago too: a sense of home. My budding library, 30 books at most, was thrown away when I was 19 by people who just wanted me and my meagre possessions out of the flat I had lived in all my life. Thirty years on, I can say that losing all my books then was more traumatic than having to leave that flat, because already at that point in my life my books were my home.
I was the only reader in my family, and yet I have been shaping my life around books ever since I could read. I began with the very few books within my reach, but when I started to really want to choose what I read public libraries were not enough – I became very greedy about surrounding myself with my own books. My family was disintegrating, and my library became something to hold on to. As most young teenagers, I had very little money of my own. That copy of Huckleberry Finn was in English, bought from the British Council in Lisbon, imported and expensive. I probably spent all my monthly allowance on it. It became the cornerstone of my library and of my life as I wanted it to be, in a way. That is why it meant so much to me and why I am still looking for it.
This is such fine and deeply moving writing by you, Maria, making me glad all over again that you applied for Ilkley mentoring this year, and that I chose you. And it's a special feeling to have you join this writing project now with this piece, given that this month's prompt was decided upon after our conversation, after hearing you speak of your younger-self's library being destroyed.
And if you'd be happy for me to share a link to your beautiful words on Twitter, we might get lucky and find that hive mind, and Christmas spirit, leads you to the book? I will only do that if you say I might!
I do hope other prompts interest you to write for, as I'd like our writing conversations and connnection to continue now long past the funded one that brought us together this month!
Thank you so much, Tanya. Rereading it, I think the word 'books' is in there a few times too many! Funny how I only noticed that when reading it on the archive page though.
I love the challenge of keeping the piece to 300 words, it's such a good writing exercise and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tentative steps. Please do share it on Twitter. Thank you again for your generosity, and for creating this wonderful platform and community. I hope to become a valuable part of it and, yes, to continue our writing conversations and connection. Maria x
I often search the Internet for a particular edition of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. But all I really remember is that it was chunky, yellowish with grey lettering and illustrations, so finding it will be pure luck. For years I refused to buy another copy, longingly waiting to come across that edition I used to own, hoping to restore it to my library and alongside the book regain something else lost a long time ago too: a sense of home. My budding library, 30 books at most, was thrown away when I was 19 by people who just wanted me and my meagre possessions out of the flat I had lived in all my life. Thirty years on, I can say that losing all my books then was more traumatic than having to leave that flat, because already at that point in my life my books were my home.
I was the only reader in my family, and yet I have been shaping my life around books ever since I could read. I began with the very few books within my reach, but when I started to really want to choose what I read public libraries were not enough – I became very greedy about surrounding myself with my own books. My family was disintegrating, and my library became something to hold on to. As most young teenagers, I had very little money of my own. That copy of Huckleberry Finn was in English, bought from the British Council in Lisbon, imported and expensive. I probably spent all my monthly allowance on it. It became the cornerstone of my library and of my life as I wanted it to be, in a way. That is why it meant so much to me and why I am still looking for it.
Yes, they are! Thank you, Monique. x
This is such fine and deeply moving writing by you, Maria, making me glad all over again that you applied for Ilkley mentoring this year, and that I chose you. And it's a special feeling to have you join this writing project now with this piece, given that this month's prompt was decided upon after our conversation, after hearing you speak of your younger-self's library being destroyed.
Here is your link to it in the story archive:
https://thecureforsleep.com/november-issue-reading/#mariasimoes
And if you'd be happy for me to share a link to your beautiful words on Twitter, we might get lucky and find that hive mind, and Christmas spirit, leads you to the book? I will only do that if you say I might!
I do hope other prompts interest you to write for, as I'd like our writing conversations and connnection to continue now long past the funded one that brought us together this month!
Txx
Thank you so much, Tanya. Rereading it, I think the word 'books' is in there a few times too many! Funny how I only noticed that when reading it on the archive page though.
I love the challenge of keeping the piece to 300 words, it's such a good writing exercise and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Tentative steps. Please do share it on Twitter. Thank you again for your generosity, and for creating this wonderful platform and community. I hope to become a valuable part of it and, yes, to continue our writing conversations and connection. Maria x
So touched by this....could this be the book? If so, I'd be happy to send along.
https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Huckleberry-SeaWolf-Illustrated-Classic/dp/1953649807/ref=sr_1_5?crid=19I3R5T4HQ0KS&keywords=adventures+of+huckleberry+finn+book+with+illustrations&qid=1670793612&sprefix=adventures+of+huckleberry+finn+book+with+illustrations%2Caps%2C84&sr=8-5
Thank you, Sheila. Not this one - but thank you so much anyway! x