718 Jim - The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade (with Shelley Fisher Fishkin) | Mark Twain's Dreams

The History of Literature

Jacke Wilson

History, Books, Arts

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 21 July 2025

⏱️ 100 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Jacke talks to eminent Twain scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin (Was Huck Black?: Mark Twain and African-American Voices) about her new book Jim: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade, which sheds new light on the origins and influence of Mark Twain's beloved yet polarizing figure. PLUS Jacke takes a look at the recent spate of Mark Twain news, from the publication of Percival Everett's prizewinning novel James, to John Jeremiah Sullivan's review of Ron Chernow's biography Mark Twain, to Conan O'Brien's acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Special Announcement: The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or [email protected], or by contacting us through our website ⁠historyofliterature.com⁠. Or visit the ⁠History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary⁠ at ⁠John Shors Travel⁠. The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠gabrielruizbernal.com. Help support the show at ⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠or ⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	The History of Literature Podcast is a member of the Podglomerate Network and Lit Hub Radio.
0:09.0	Hey folks, it's Jack here to promote something that's a little special, not a thing and not a service,
0:15.1	an opportunity for you to have an experience. The History of Literature podcast is going on the road,
0:24.1	and you can join us. Our first stop is Literary England, the land of Dr. Johnson and Jane
0:30.0	Austin and Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Oh, and Dickens. Oh, and Shakespeare. Perhaps you've
0:36.7	heard of him. This isn't a trip where you
0:39.2	march from site to site, checking off boxes. Seen it, seen it, seen it, seen it. This is a week,
0:44.9	plus a little more traveling with me and Emma in a group of other fans of literature. All of us
0:51.1	enjoying our conversations, our chance to learn and grow and be inspired by
0:56.5	these writers and their works that we love so much.
1:00.1	With special visits along the way from past guests of the show, your favorites, who will
1:04.3	deepen our appreciation for what we're seeing.
1:07.4	So please consider it.
1:08.9	We would love to have you.
1:12.3	You can learn more by going to John Shores Travel, that's S-H-O-R-S, and look for the upcoming trip to England with Jack Wilson,
1:19.1	or reach out to us at history of literature.com, and we will tell you all the details. It's going to be
1:25.4	in May of 2026, but act now to secure your spot.
1:29.8	Space is limited. And let's all spend some quality time together, enjoying literature and enjoying life.
1:37.5	Oh, that's my prime delivery. Oh, already? Only one thing can match the buzz of Primes fast delivery.
1:43.7	And that's the buzz of Prime's entertainment.
1:46.4	What are we watching?
1:47.2	Heads of state that new action comedy with Idris Elber as the Prime Minister,
	...

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