The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain

"All right, then, I'll go to hell."

Huck Finn fakes his own death to escape his abusive, drunken father. He flees down the Mississippi River on a raft, accompanied by Jim, a slave escaping from being sold down the river. As they encounter con men, feuding families, and the hypocrisy of 'civilized' society, Huck struggles with his conscience, eventually choosing to help Jim to freedom despite the laws and morals he has been taught.

Hemingway declared that "all modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn." It is a masterpiece of vernacular voice and a savage satire on racism and social norms.