The Letters of Mark Twain and Joseph Hopkins Twichell
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Pub Date Apr 15 2017 | Archive Date Jul 27 2017
Description
This book contains the complete texts of all known correspondence between Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) and Joseph Hopkins Twichell. Theirs was a rich exchange. The long, deep friendship of Clemens and Twichell—a Congregationalist minister of Hartford, Connecticut—rarely fails to surprise, given the general reputation Twain has of being antireligious. Beyond this, an examination of the growth, development, and shared interests characterizing that friendship makes it evident that as in most things about him, Mark Twain defies such easy categorization or judgment.
From the moment of their first encounter in 1868, a rapport was established. When Twain went to dinner at the Twichell home, he wrote to his future wife that he had “got up to go at 9.30 PM, & never sat down again—but [Twichell] said he was bound to have his talk out—& I was willing—& so I only left at 11.” This conversation continued, in various forms, for forty-two years—in both men’s houses, on Hartford streets, on Bermuda roads, and on Alpine trails.
The dialogue between these two men—one an inimitable American literary figure, the other a man of deep perception who himself possessed both narrative skill and wit—has been much discussed by Twain biographers. But it has never been presented in this way before: as a record of their surviving correspondence; of the various turns of their decades-long exchanges; of what Twichell described in his journals as the “long full feast of talk” with his friend, whom he would always call “Mark.”
A Note From the Publisher
Peter Messent is the emeritus professor of modern American literature at the University of Nottingham and the author several books, including Mark Twain and Male Friendship: The Twichell, Howells, and Rogers Friendships.
Steve Courtney is the publicist and publications editor of the Mark Twain House. He is the author of Joseph Hopkins Twichell: The Life and Times of Mark Twain’s Closest Friend and the coeditor (with Peter Messent) of The Civil War Letters of Joseph Hopkins Twichell: A Chaplain’s Story (both Georgia).
Advance Praise
"Two friends talking. You get more of Mark Twain
the unguarded person from these conversations between two friends than
from the biographies. They traveled the footpaths of Europe together,
their wives and children enriched their friendship, they could say what
they wanted and know they'd get away with it. This is special."
—Hal Holbrook
"Although Clemens corresponded intimately and at length with a number of
individuals, nowhere does he stand more revealed than in his letters to
Joe Twichell. The voice that emerges in these pages—by turns lyrical,
ebullient, wrathful, and achingly melancholic—offers a glimpse into the
writer’s truest, most candid self. As such, this collection is an
invaluable addition to the field of Mark Twain studies."
—Kerry Driscoll, University of Saint Joseph
"In this age of vanishing correspondence—emails, texts, instant
messages—there is a real risk for posterity. Consider those unguarded
moments of frankness, celebrations of joy, and confidential speculations
shared only with the closest of friends. The demise of the handwritten
letter is lamentable. In this exceptional book, readers eavesdrop on Sam
Clemens and his closest friend Joe Twichell (‘. . . you splendid old
muggins!’) in real-time communications. The inside jokes, intimate
confidences, hopes, fears, and tragedies are shared unvarnished between
two young men who became fast friends and grew old together across four
decades. The editors have done a superb job of presenting important
context without overpowering the real content: the letters of love,
respect, and affection for each other and each other's families in the
setting of a rapidly changing world. A must read for anyone who has ever
had a best friend."
—Cindy Lovell, Executive Director, The Mark Twain House & Museum
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780820350752 |
| PRICE | $44.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 472 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Michelle K, Reviewer
The Letters of Mark Twain and Joseph Hopkins Twichell
by Harold K. Bush, Steve Courtney, and Peter Messent
University of Georgia Press
Biographies & Memoirs , Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 15 Apr 2017
I am reviewing a copy of The Letters of Mark Twain and Joseph Hopkins Twichell through University of Georgia Press and Netgalley:
For years Mark Twain and Reverend Joseph Hopkins Twichell were friends. A good number of the letters between the two have gone missing over the years. Mark Twain and Joe Twichell first met in Hartford, Connecticut in October of 1968.
Mark Twain writes of the birth of his daughter on March.19.1872. In April of 1878 Mark Twain writes to Joseph about the trip he is taking to Europe and later that Summer Joseph writes to Mark Twain about the birth of his third son.
I give The Letters of Mark Twain and Joseph Hopkins Twichell five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Holly S, Reviewer
This was very artfully done. Loved everything from the cover to the last page.~ Personal correspondence always reveals a lot about the people sending and receiving said correspondence. Easy, well written read that would go well with the beach weather or snuggled up this winter with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea while you catch up with Mark Twain and Joseph Hopkins Twitchell
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