3 Review(s)

A thorough two-volume biography of the great American novelist Samuel Langhorne Clemens, best known by his pen name, Mark Twain, is entitled "Mark Twain: A Biography" by Albert Bigelow Paine. "The Personal and Literary Life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens," the second book of the biography, covers Twain's life and writing career from 1870 until his death in 1910. Twain penned several of his most well-known books during this time, such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." Twain's personal life at this period is extensively described by Paine, including his marriage to Olivia Langdon and their time spent together in Hartford, Connecticut. Paine also discusses Twain's struggles with money and his attempts to deal with them via writing and preaching. Paine analyses Twain's subjects and literary style throughout the whole book, focusing on how he used humour and satire to confront contemporary social and political concerns. Paine also talks about Twain's connections to other writers like Henry James and William Dean Howells. Overall, "Mark Twain: A Biography" offers a comprehensive look at the life and writings of one of America's most well-known writers and continues to be a useful tool for academics and Twain enthusiasts alike.