First published 2019
This collection gathers Mark Twain's sketches and articles that show a different side of America's beloved humorist. While some pieces deliver the comic brilliance readers expect, most reveal Twain in a more earnest mode. The satirist sets aside his usual mask of burlesque to engage with weightier subjects. These serious works may not represent Twain at his peak performance, but they remain compelling and accessible. The collection provides valuable insight into the mind behind the humor. Readers who come for laughs will find themselves confronting the thoughtful observer who lived beneath the comic persona. The pieces assembled here trace the contours of Twain's personality beyond his public image. Even those who prefer his lighter touch will appreciate these glimpses into his deeper concerns and reflections.
Genres: essays, literary-criticism, american-fiction, humor, 20th-century, american, biography-memoir, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
446 pages · Paperback · Independently Published