Man, this is probably going to be an unpopular answer but I think it’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.

I grew up in the southern U.S. so I didn’t realize how racist it was back then, and it imprinted on me. All the disgusting language and bigotry aside, I found it to be a captured spark of youth.

And before I go on I would like to say, that it’s not a hill I’m willing to die on, but the two main characters talked about their companion as a second class citizen but they treated him as an equal, and I think, considering when it was written, that’s at least something resembling evidence of a progressive mindset and should be taken into account when reading this work.

I don’t know where I stand on censoring or updating it. I think it’s fine as an option but I think this is one of those works that’s not a bad idea to read in its original form to help solidify one’s understanding of where we are compared to where we were. It’s more than just a story. It’s also a page from human history.

Getting back to why I liked, though. It made me laugh. Tom’s clever mischief reminded me of being a boy running wild. We had forest everywhere and a cave that smelled too much like impending doom (copperheads) to venture to far into but it was a cool place to go hang out.

Twain, also, masterfully penned the thirst for adventure that burns in a young boy’s heart. Trekking into the woods to dig for treasure and knowing there’s a ghost buried with it that’s surely gonna kill you for disturbing it are ways I spent parts of my summer youth.

I guess what I’m trying to say is it gave me an appreciation for a child’s journey in the world. The combination of the boys’ carefree while also gravely serious perspectives just really nailed it for me.

Now, having said all that I just remembered I liked “Sapiens” a lot, too, but for different reasons, and it doesn’t have any racism at all in it. I think that’s the one I’d recommend. 😁