the autobiography of mark twain

Is anybody reading the autobiography of mark twain? I am curious about why it is entitled 'mark twian' instead of 'samuel clemens'. Any thoughts?

I got it for Christmas and will start on it soon. It's pretty massive.

It's not as daunting when you realize that a large portion of it contains explainatory notes on the main body. I'm finding that it makes sense to read both at once. I keep a book mark in the notes corisponding to my place in the auto. so I can flip back and forht.

No postings in three months. Has this thread played out? Anyway, I am one who is reading and enjoying the autobiography -- though I find it to be a different kind of reading from his other writings, of course. A massive book it is, to be sure, and the "background" (his works as well as his whole life, really) is, like Mt. Everest, majestically standing there all the while, a huge commentary on any work or episode in his past one wants to pick up and explore. What amazes me about the book is that the vigor and vitality of the writing is still there. That is a rare kind of thing, power of such an unquenchable kind.

Its on my list, but its a long list.

Attempted twice and abandoned again.

We talking about the 3 volume series? I listened to vol 1 via an Audible edition. Not sure if I want to invest the time on the next two volumes?

>4 GeneRuyle: -

When you compliment Twain's writing skills, it reminds me of my favorite Mark Twain quote:

from "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses," an essay from 1895 -

"When a person has a poor ear for music he will flat and sharp right along without knowing it. He keeps near the tune, but it is NOT the tune. When a person has a poor ear for words, the result is a literary flatting and sharping; you perceive what he is intending to say, but you also perceive that he doesn't SAY it."