5.0 out of 5 stars
A most sympathetic and enjoyable reading of the works of Mark Twain, February 1, 2010
This book is a book by book reading of the work of Mark Twain. It generously quotes from the work of Twain,and this is one of the best features of the book. It argues that Twain did not as one school of Literary Criticism supposes climax in greatness with 'Huckleberry Finn' and go downhill after that. It essentially argues that the late Twain is of the highest quality. It places a great focus on Twain's social and economic criticisms of American capitalism. While I tend to think that what might be called the Justin Kaplan school of Twain criticism is correct(i.e. It was largely downhill after 'Huckleberry Finn) I found Geismar's book very readable and insightful. Geismar truly admires Twain and gives his story a sympathetic reading throughout. He does see him as an American Prophet who surveyed the whole of the society and strongly criticized its injustices. He too shows sympathy for Twain in his family tragedies and even in his great business failures. He sees Twain as a kind of prose- parallel to Whitman who is also seen as a prophetic failure. In contrast Geismar often mocks at Henry James and sees the Anglophile aristocrat as being at the opposite pole from man- of- the- people Twain. I especially enjoyed the reading given of Huckleberry Finn in which Geismar cites those most well- known passages of Huck's moral .In these Huck considers whether to turn Jim in as conventional morality says he should , or to 'go to hell' and let him be free. Again a principal delight of the work is the many passages from Twain's writing.
I found this a very flowing and easy read, a truly enjoyable book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
