Merry Tales (1892)

by Mark Twain, Shelley Fisher Fishkin (Series Editor), Forrest G. Robinson (Primary Contributor)

These seven sketches are unmistakably Twain, displaying his characteristic energy, imagination, and sense of fun, as well as the darkly satirical edge that marks all his work. His targets range from the difficulty of learning German, expressed in a three act play where two young lovers are
obliged to conduct their courtship in beginning German, to the incompetence of military command, found in a sketch called "Luck" in which it is revealed that a celebrated general's most lauded battle stratagem resulted from his confusing his right hand with his left. Perhaps the best known story in
this collection is "The Private History of a Campaign That Failed," one of the few pieces Twain ever wrote about his experiences in the Civil War. His friend William Dean Howells, on reading this striking autobiographical narrative, wrote to Twain, "It was immensely amusing, with such a bloody bit
of heartache in it." As Anne Bernays writes in her introduction to this volume, " 'The Private History of a Campaign That Failed' is a merry tale about shattered innocence and slaughter, unmatched in the care and handling." A fascinating collection of captivating and thoughtful tales.

Genres: Short Stories, American, Collections

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1892

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Faulkner calling him "the father of American literature." His novels include The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), with the latter often called the "Great American Novel." Twain also wrote A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889) and Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), and co-wrote The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today (1873) with Charles Dudley Warner.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoofs on sensationalism, macabre, war stories.

[Mathher Abbassi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Twain wrote his memories in the army with funny stories. Maybe they were funny at his time, but I didn't find them funny or enjoyable.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ranging from poignant to hilarious.