Customer Reviews

Mark Twain in Hawaii: Roughing It in the Sandwich Islands, Hawaii in the 1860's

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked up this book at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu and read it while touring around Oahu and Molokai in late 2001. Having been to all the islands of Hawaii I can say this work really catches the flavor of the place. Twain narrates his own adventures as well as providing his unique commentary on the customs, culture and history of the islands.
A very entertaining piece, particularly for those who have been to Hawaii or are planning a trip.

This is a book taken from the letters of Mark Twain during his visit to the Sandwich Islands,which are now Hawaii. It is a very interesting and informative look at Hawaii in the 1800's. Mark Twain uses his usual humorous and lively writing to tell of his experiences and adventures while there. Experiences from the humorous writing about his horse "Oahu" to his adventures touring the islands and volcanos by horseback and entering an active volcano crater at night! He also tells of the great beauty of the islands and rain forests. Very good book and easy to read and understand.

Did you know Mark Twain went to Hawaii on assignment by the Sacramento Union in 1866? This book includes his write-up, which first appeared in Roughing It. It has a good two page introduction by the editor and then Twain's 13 chapters, in their original type, with the original illustrations. Outbooks did a great job on this.

Mark Twain provides a good treatment of the whole Hawaiian experience and pokes fun at missionaries, the royal family, and just life in general. The introduction to this edition makes it very readable. My only disappointment is that the "Letters from the Sandwich Islands" published by Twain in 1866 are not included; at least one should have been used to illustrate the two different writing styles Twain used. The short description in the introduction probably don't do the original letters justice.

My husband and I took this book on a trip to Hawaii and we loved it. It is the perfect take along book.

It was particularly interesting to read Mark Twain's account of the lava flowing in Kilauea crater. That was a much more active time for Kilauea that the current lava flows there. I also very much enjoyed Twain's humor.

This is a very fun read, but it is sad and annoying to see so many glaring spelling mistakes! The editors of this publication should be ashamed. Even if Twain himself made the spelling mistakes, they owe it to him and his legacy to publish a better edition where they have used a spell-check! Come on!

What a keen eye, and hilarious mirror he puts up to Hawaii, early Twain.. Or for island visitors who have marveled at the culture. Not for kids, won't get it.. Except maybe some portions detailing Twain's travails at finding transport via horse.