Short Works of Mark Twain: A Critical Study.

MESSENT, Peter.

ISBN 10: 081223622X / ISBN 13: 9780812236224

Published by University of Pennsylvania Press,, Philadelphia:, 2001

About this Item

First printing. Fine in a fine dust jacket.

Seller Inventory # 76872

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Short Works of Mark Twain: A Critical Study.
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press,, Philadelphia:
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 081223622X
• ISBN 13: 9780812236224
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literary Criticism

About this title

Synopsis

Between 1867, when The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Other Sketches was published, and the appearance in 1906 of The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories, seven major collections of short works appeared under the name Mark Twain. It has long been held that in most cases Twain had little to do with assembling these books, viewing them mainly as moneymaking ventures and leaving the work largely to others. In the first full and sustained study of the collections ever to appear, Peter Messent argues to the contrary. Exploring the publication history of the volumes as well as a wealth of primary documents, Messent demonstrates that Twain's part in the making of these books was, in fact, considerable. Reading the collections of short works as well as individual tales alongside his novels, Messent discusses Twain's development as an artist in terms of the changing emphases that mark his use of different forms and themes, and the changing modes of humor that he employed.

About the Author

Peter Messent is Professor of Modern American Literature at the University of Nottingham.