1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910817677003321

Titolo

Dear Mark Twain [[electronic resource] ] : letters from his readers / / edited by R. Kent Rasmussen

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Berkeley, : University of California Press, c2013

ISBN

0-520-95516-1

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (315 p.)

Collana

Jumping frogs : undiscovered, rediscovered, and celebrated writings of Mark Twain ; ; 4

Altri autori (Persone)

RasmussenR. Kent

TwainMark <1835-1910.>

Disciplina

818/.409

Soggetti

Authors, American - 19th century

Authors and readers - United States

Humorists, American - 19th century

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Note on Texts -- 1861-1870 -- 1871-1880 -- 1881-1890 -- 1891-1900 -- 1901-1910 -- Note on Sources -- Acknowledgments -- Index of Correspondents' Locations -- Index of Mark Twain Characters and Works -- General Subject Index

Sommario/riassunto

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.