eBook

Dear Mark Twain

Rasmussen, R. Kent

2013

Overview

A voracious pack-rat, Mark Twain hoarded his readers' letters as did few of his contemporaries. Dear Mark Twain collects 200 of these letters written by a diverse cross-section of correspondents from around the world—children, farmers, schoolteachers, businessmen, preachers, railroad clerks, inmates of mental institutions, con artists, and even a former president. It is a unique and groundbreaking book—the first published collection of reader letters to any writer of Mark Twain's time. Its contents afford a rare and exhilarating glimpse into the sensibilities of nineteenth-century people while revealing the impact Samuel L. Clemens had on his readers. Clemens's own and often startling comments and replies are also included. R. Kent Rasmussen's extensive research provides fascinating profiles of the correspondents, whose personal stories are often as interesting as their letters. Ranging from gushing fan appreciations and requests for help and advice to suggestions for writing projects and stinging criticisms, the letters are filled with perceptive insights, pathos, and unintentional but often riotous humor. Many are deeply moving, more than a few are hilarious, some may be shocking, but none are dull.

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Subject: 19th century / american literature / Authors and readers / Authors and readers -- United States / Authors, American / Authors, American -- 19th century -- Correspondence / biography / celebrated writings / Correspondence / correspondents / deeply moving / engaging / epistolary / extensive research / fan mail / fascinating profiles / feel good / great writers / heartfelt / historical / history / Humorists, American / Humorists, American -- 19th century -- Correspondence / jumping frogs / Language & Literature / letters and correspondence / life lessons / LITERARY CRITICISM / LITERARY CRITICISM / American / General / lively / mark twain / pathos / pen pals / perceptive insights / personal stories / published collection / reader letters / riotous humor / samuel l clemens / startling comments / Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 / Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 -- Correspondence / United States / uplifting stories
• ISBN: 0520261348, 9780520261341, 9780520955165, 0520955161