I have never taken much part in the national veneration for Twain. This departure from the norm began quite early. I read Tom Sawyer when I was in grade school -- the summer after fourth grade, I think -- and loved it. Then I read Huckleberry Finn and was disappointed. I never took to Huck. And while I have, from time to time, enjoyed reading Twain, my overall impression is that he was more crank than sage.
Dear Frank,
ReplyDeleteOnce again we are very similar. Loved and still love Tom Sawyer and did not care for almost anything else Mr. Twain put to paper--Huck Finn, Pudd'nhead Wilson, The Mysterious Stranger. Although I do have a sneaking admiration for Joan of Arc, and think that I might like some of the travel chronicles were I to give them a proper chance.
shalom,
Steven