Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
Review: The Autobiography of Mark Twain
The Autobiography of Mark Twain
Final Verdict: 4.0 out of 4.0
YTD: 20
Charles Neider considered Twain’s Autobiography to be “a classic of American letters, to be ranked with the autobiographies of Benjamin Franklin and Henry Adams.” While I haven’t read the Adams autobiography, I absolutely agree that Twain’s is comparable in importance and substance to that of Benjamin Franklin; and, as The Modern Library says, it is probably “one of the best 100 Nonfiction books of the 20th Century.”
One of the benefits of reading an autobiography, and their primary appeal for most, is that they allow readers an opportunity to learn more about a historical figure’s life and work – things that could only be guessed at or inferred by reading their fiction, watching their movies, examining their politics, etc. Twain’s autobiography fulfills this promise, in that it reinforces what one might learn about him through his fiction, but also reveals so much more about his private life, his personal ambitions, and his deep, deep pains. Most who are familiar with Twain’s novels know that he was considered (and is still considered) to be one of America’s greatest humorists and satirists. But Twain did not look at himself that way – he believed himself to be a moralist and a sermonizer – one who allowed humor into his stories when it occurred naturally. Twain cared deeply about the human race, but was also so disappointed by it.
When reading Twain’s works in chronological order, it is clear that the nature of his texts change over time. In the beginning, his stories can be characterized by a youthful innocence – a playful, all-American view of the world (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer). The future stories become more complex and delve into more delicate territory (Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; The Prince and the Pauper) when he begins to look at race and class issues, social and economic inequalities. Ultimately, his late works are almost despairing in nature – the early hopefulness and joyful themes becoming distilled, to say the least (The Mysterious Stranger). One might wonder why – but the Autobiography explains. Twain had been a trusting, almost naïve person for most of his life. He put his finances into the hands of publishers and lawyers who would ultimately betray him. He speculated and invested in “certain” ventures, only to watch those ventures disappoint and nearly ruin him financially. In addition to his financial losses and the deceptions he endured, he also suffered through the loss of many of his closest friends and family – including his wife and three of his children. Twain even felt personally responsible for the death of his only son, who died an infant. These losses and disappointments seemed to haunt him throughout his entire life and, throughout the Autobiography, there is a heartbreaking desire for death – a respect and appreciation for it which only one who had suffered enormously could truly feel or understand. Repeatedly, throughout the passages, Twain describes bluntly his envy for those who have passed on from this world and expresses an anger toward those who helped him survive, when he himself was at death’s door. It is a private despondency not often exposed in his public persona or in his writing.
Ultimately, I found Twain’s Autobiography to be wonderful and painful. Anyone who is already a fan of Twain’s writing will certainly enjoy this text; however, conversely, those who do not enjoy his books may have difficulty with this, because his style and approach in narrative and essay form are similar (also some credit must be given to the editor, Charles Neider, who put some structure and organization into this edition of the work – Twain had dictated the entire thing, so its original form was far from fluid or cohesive). It was incredibly rewarding not just to learn more about the man and his private life, but also about his writing process, his relationships with other prominent writers and figures of the time (William Dean Howells, Ulysses S. Grant, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Bret Harte, in particular). Baring witness to some of the more intimate moments and relationships – especially, for instance, Twain’s friendship with General Ulysses S. Grant, adds so much to my appreciation of Twain as a person. Similarly, witnessing him lose his cool and blast certain people who he held in the highest contempt is, of course, hilarious. Twain clearly tried his best to be respectful and considerate of all people (at least in his adulthood), so when those rare moments occur when Twain describes dealing with people he truly despised – it is a (guilty) pleasure to witness!
For fans of Twain – do yourself a favor and read his Autobiography. As much as I thought I knew about Twain, I now realize that I can approach his works with a deeper and renewed appreciation.
Notable Quotes:
“It is an odd and curious and interesting ass, the human race is.”
“When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened.”
“Where prejudice exists it always discolors our thoughts and feelings and opinions.”
“It seems a pity that the world should throw away so many good things merely because they are unwholesome.”
“Doctor Meredith removed to Hannibal by and by and was our family physician and saved my life several times. Still, he was a good man and meant well. Let it go.”
“But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most…?”
“I have always preached. That is the reason that I have lasted thirty years. If the humor came of its own accord and uninvited I have allowed it a place in my sermon, but I was not writing the sermon for the sake of the humor. I should have written the sermon just the same, whether any humor applied for admission or not.”
“It is the will of God that we must have critics and missionaries and congressmen and humorists, and we must bear the burden.”
“I was not able to convince her that we never do any duty for the duty’s sake but only for the mere personal satisfaction we get out of doing that duty. T he fact is, she was brought up just like the rest of the world, with the ingrained and stupid superstition that there is such a thing as duty for duty’s sake, and so I was obliged to let her abide in her darkness.”
“I do like to hear myself talk.”
“The sweet placidity of death! It is more beautiful than sleep.”
Roof Beam Reader 
I think I might need to read this before I begin his works (which I might read chronologically, now that you point out the change in his writing?)
Lovely post. I misjudged Twain by an essay I read on him, and didn’t like him or want to read his work until I read a biography about him. That changed my opinion entirely. (I wrote about it here if you’re curious. No expectation for a comment; I’m just sharing.)
🙂
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Awesome post! Have you heard about the Ron Powers biography? I’ll probably read that soon – I hear great things about it. I would like to know more about the things Twain didn’t necessarily feel comfortable including (or feel were important to include) in his Autobiography, like the more negative aspects of his relationship with his daughters – his Autobiography would make it seem as if everything was golden, aside from the illnesses. Twain definitely let some things rip, though. He made a deal with his publishers and his family that the Autobiography would not be printed until after he died (and he finished it about 4 months before his death, so its hard to imagine they would have been able to publish it any sooner anyway). But, throughout, he refers to his more angry outbursts towards certain people/mentalities as the free license of a dead man – and that he would likely never speak them (or at least not allow them to be published) had he been alive to deal with the consequences.
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Oh, that’s funny. (The “free license” thing.) I had not heard about the Ron Powers biography! I just added it to my Goodreads list. Thanks, Adam!! 🙂
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Although Twain has not been my favorite author, I have read Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and The Prince & The Pauper, and quite like all of them (especially Huck Finn). This autobiography has intrigued me since you’re reading it, and after reading your review, I’m more convinced that I MUST get this book! Thanks for reviewing it in detail.
Charles Dickens is the first classics author that I read the bio, and Mark Twain will be the next! 🙂
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Just found your site recently and am really enjoying going through your archives. I have always enjoyed Twain but have never read his autobiography. Thanks for giving me a new book to put on the TBR list.
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Thanks for stopping by and for taking time to explore! Twain is my favorite. 🙂
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I’ve been grappling with the desire to read this book for awhile. You’ve made it seem to be very worth reading so I will have to stop putting it off now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one!
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