The Ultimate Storyteller—in Life AND in Death

I wrote about The Autobiography of Mark Twain in yesterday's edition of Small Town Newspaper. You can read it here, if you want.

This is the photograph I had in mind while I read Clemens' dictations. He really was a masterful storyteller, even when rambling on about the poorly designed door knobs in Florence or in describing the Countess Massiglia, who he described as a "pestiferous character." About her, he said, “She is excitable, malicious, malignant, vengeful, unforgiving, selfish, stingy, avaricious, coarse, vulgar, profane, obscene, a furious blusterer on the outside and at heart a coward.” And I laughed out loud.

Comments

dive said…

That's a wonderful piece, Robyn. Nice to see you're getting some good comments, too.
I got my four ton book around the same time you got your nice light electronic version and I must say it is a total delight to read; almost like having the old guy there beside you, rattling off his fabulous yarns.

1:27 PM

savannah said…

i waited too long to buy a copy and now i won't have one for the MITM when he gets home. totally sold out even online! xoxoxo

5:53 PM

Happy Birthday...

to me! Update: Since you have asked, I only got one actual packaged gift, a beautiful hand-made bracelet from a friend, but both girls were home for the weekend, and we had dinner at the lake and a relaxing weekend. Thanks to all of you for your lovely wishes!

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