The new version of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, is scheduled to be on bookshelves in mid-February. The new version has replaced the n-word with the word slave.

     Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic novel, author T.S. Eliot called it a masterpiece, and Ernest Hemingway pronounced it the source of "All modern American literature." But for decades, it has been disappearing from the school curriculum across the country. It has been banned, relegated to optional reading lists, and has even appeared on lists of the nation's most challenged books.
     According to publishersweekly.com, the idea of a more politically correct Huck Finn came to the 69-year-old Auburn University English professor. Over the past years of teaching, Gribben habitually replaced the n- word with slave when reading aloud to his class. Gribben grew up without hearing the "n" word and became aware of its harsh effect as he moved south and started his family.

     In writing the book, Twain was pointing out the complexities of racism and prejudice in the 1840’s life in Missouri. It is very important that everyone understands the history of racism, and taking the n-word out of a book may make for less offensive reading, but it also demolishes culture, and historical context. If the novel is not going to serve these purposes, then why should it even be on shelves at all? Abolishing the n-word, will not teach students the real life in the 1840’s and will only misinform students that the word “slave” is acceptable.

     Gribben became determined to offer an alternative novel for general readers that would allow them to appreciate and enjoy all the book has to offer. For a single word to form a barrier it seems such an unnecessary state of affairs, Gribben said, according to nydailynews.com
     "I'm hoping that people will welcome this new option, but I suspect that textual purists will be horrified," Gribben said, according to nydailynews.com. Gribben recognizes that he is putting his reputation at stake as a Twain scholar, but he is also very passionate.                                                                            

     Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn: The New South Edition will cost $24.95 for hardcover.

Sources: publishersweekly.com, nydailynews.com