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jennifermreads's review
5.0
For years, my mom has sung the praises of Mark Twain. I’ve read the ones “everyone has”: Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn. But Twain’s catalog is vast. How have I not read Roughing It? Especially when I grew up in Tahoe! How have I not read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court? And The Prince and the Pauper? Geez. I’m slacking!
I’ve decided 2021 is going to be my year to chip away at Twain’s long publication list. I don’t know what made me start with the short stories but it was the perfecti reminder of the dry wit and sneaky commentary that Twain does so well. So many times, I snort-laughed … I nearly hurt myself. Robin Fields narration of these stories was perfection. I have a few more of the short stories I can listen to then I’ll be cracking open the paper book to read those that weren’t narrated.
And, I do think I’ll be singing the Punch, Brother, Punch jingle forever & ever. Talk about an ear worm that won’t go away: “Conductor, when you receive a fare, punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair). A blue trip-slip for an eight-cent fare, a buff trip-slip for a six-cent fare, a pink trip-slip for a three-cent fare. Punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair). Chorus: Punch, brothers, punch with care. Punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair).”
I’ve decided 2021 is going to be my year to chip away at Twain’s long publication list. I don’t know what made me start with the short stories but it was the perfecti reminder of the dry wit and sneaky commentary that Twain does so well. So many times, I snort-laughed … I nearly hurt myself. Robin Fields narration of these stories was perfection. I have a few more of the short stories I can listen to then I’ll be cracking open the paper book to read those that weren’t narrated.
And, I do think I’ll be singing the Punch, Brother, Punch jingle forever & ever. Talk about an ear worm that won’t go away: “Conductor, when you receive a fare, punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair). A blue trip-slip for an eight-cent fare, a buff trip-slip for a six-cent fare, a pink trip-slip for a three-cent fare. Punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair). Chorus: Punch, brothers, punch with care. Punch in the presence of the passenger (say pass-in-jair).”
cnorbury's review
3.0
Interesting collection of stories by a master storyteller. A joy to immerse onself in the beauty of a well-turned phrase, rich detail, subtle humor, and sarcastic pokes at politics and the privileged.
That said, modern day readers will struggle with slow pacing and what we call today "overwriting." Not everyone's cup of tea, but serious writers and aspiring writers must read authors like Twain to understand the history of popular literature.
That said, modern day readers will struggle with slow pacing and what we call today "overwriting." Not everyone's cup of tea, but serious writers and aspiring writers must read authors like Twain to understand the history of popular literature.
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