In a lecture at Harvard in 1967, Borges said that over the years, fueled by his enthusiasm for Huckleberry Finn, he had read and re-read Life on the Mississippi. I also started reading this book because I wanted to return to Huck's world, but do not think I will ever re-read it, though certain passages are evocative and highly memorable. I did find it heavy going at times and tiresomely factual in places. But if you have time to kill and long for Old Man River, there are certainly worse ways to pass the hours.
