Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Oxford University Press Inc, USA (1996), Hardcover, 368 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Nonfiction. HTML: Renowned American humorist Mark Twain turns his incisive wit loose on his own life story in this unique take on the nineteenth-century memoir. Originally composed in a format that studiously ignored the careful chronological structure that most autobiographies follow, these essays were first published in book form ten years after the author's death. Twain fans will love the author's account of his quintessentially American upbringing, wildly zig-zagging career path, and gradual transition into the writing life..
User reviews
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Within the first few minutes of this audiobook, one knows exactly why Mark Twain was such a success as an author and humorist. His wit and satire abound with each story, and yet he maintains a level of humility that is just as charming as it is surprising. The anecdotes and stories presented by
What makes Chapters from My Autobiography so difficult is the randomness of each story. Twain jumps around from discussing his children to his brother to his time in Europe and back with no introduction and no preparation for the reader. Following along quickly becomes a study in concentration, as this is not an audiobook that allows one's mind to drift. However, when the effort is made, the reader/listener is rewarded with a better understanding of how remarkable Twain's life was. His relationship with his wife and children is especially poignant, as he presents his daughter's biography of him in its entirety, complete with spelling errors. His pride at his daughter's ability to capture him in all his faults is simply beautiful to behold.
Mr. Pinchot earns his Narrator of the Year nod with a spot-on performance as Mark Twain. His accent never wavers, and his ability to take rather dry material and imbibe it with spirit and humor is alone worth the time necessary to listen to the audio. Twain literally comes alive again through Mr. Pinchot.
Chapters from My Autobiography is charming in its own right, especially with such highlights as Susie's biography of her father, but it is truly the narrator who makes this such a special experience for the listener. For those who are not willing to tackle Mr. Twain's entire autobiography, or at least the one volume of it that was recently released, this audio is a great introduction to his story and a wonderful teaser of the true face of one of America's most celebrated authors.
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Twain in this collection are at times heartbreaking, touching, difficult, and, as one would expect, hilarious. Twain does not shy away from highlighting his faults and foibles and presents them with an alacrity that is simply amusing.What makes Chapters from My Autobiography so difficult is the randomness of each story. Twain jumps around from discussing his children to his brother to his time in Europe and back with no introduction and no preparation for the reader. Following along quickly becomes a study in concentration, as this is not an audiobook that allows one's mind to drift. However, when the effort is made, the reader/listener is rewarded with a better understanding of how remarkable Twain's life was. His relationship with his wife and children is especially poignant, as he presents his daughter's biography of him in its entirety, complete with spelling errors. His pride at his daughter's ability to capture him in all his faults is simply beautiful to behold.
Mr. Pinchot earns his Narrator of the Year nod with a spot-on performance as Mark Twain. His accent never wavers, and his ability to take rather dry material and imbibe it with spirit and humor is alone worth the time necessary to listen to the audio. Twain literally comes alive again through Mr. Pinchot.
Chapters from My Autobiography is charming in its own right, especially with such highlights as Susie's biography of her father, but it is truly the narrator who makes this such a special experience for the listener. For those who are not willing to tackle Mr. Twain's entire autobiography, or at least the one volume of it that was recently released, this audio is a great introduction to his story and a wonderful teaser of the true face of one of America's most celebrated authors.
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LibraryThing member AshRyan
Mark Twain dictated his autobiography with the stated intention that it wouldn't be published for 100 years after his death. Accordingly, the first volume (of three) of the first complete edition just came out about a year ago. I intend to begin that soon, but in the meantime I've just finished
Not a chronological autobiography, but more a free association of (mostly humorous) stories, these chapters still somehow manage to add up to an integrated picture of the man. Early on he relates the death of his middle daughter Suzie at the age of 25, and from that point on quotes from a biography of him she had written about ten years earlier. This provides some structure, as he quotes passages and then elaborates on them or tells a story they remind him of, but it also provides a sort of emotional line, regularly reminding us of Twain's family life besides his professional life.
These chapters do jump around a lot, ranging from recollections of his boyhood, to his early attempts at making a living, to becoming a successful writer, to his middle age as a family man, to his old age. The effect is a picture of a whole life, even if it is only in snapshots.
And of course, Twain is often very funny, sometimes poignant, and uses language beautifully. Definitely worth reading.
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"Chapters from My Autobiography", selections which were the only parts to be published during Twain's lifetime, in 25 installments in the North American Review in 1906-07.Not a chronological autobiography, but more a free association of (mostly humorous) stories, these chapters still somehow manage to add up to an integrated picture of the man. Early on he relates the death of his middle daughter Suzie at the age of 25, and from that point on quotes from a biography of him she had written about ten years earlier. This provides some structure, as he quotes passages and then elaborates on them or tells a story they remind him of, but it also provides a sort of emotional line, regularly reminding us of Twain's family life besides his professional life.
These chapters do jump around a lot, ranging from recollections of his boyhood, to his early attempts at making a living, to becoming a successful writer, to his middle age as a family man, to his old age. The effect is a picture of a whole life, even if it is only in snapshots.
And of course, Twain is often very funny, sometimes poignant, and uses language beautifully. Definitely worth reading.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
1906-1907
Physical description
368 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0195101561 / 9780195101560
Local notes
Articles about Twain's role as a writer, a philosopher, a poet, a businessman, a husband, and a father. Contains articles extracted from North American Review 1906-1907.
Signed by Arthur Miller & Michael J. Kiskis.
Signed by Arthur Miller & Michael J. Kiskis.