[Originally entitled The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson and the Comedy of Those Extraordinary Twins. P-N T]
Although neither one of Twain's most beloved nor his best known books, the novel known as "The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson", is nevertheless packed well enough with all of the luster of any of Twain's most famous novels. In fact, it is something of a paradigm of 19th Century writing-- there is a crime, a coutroom drama, twists and turns, and yet it is not a nod to mystery stories in general. The book is, in fact, biting and therefore stinging social commentary about southern life at that time (having been published on November 28, 1894), and still the commentary is no less relevant to our own time.
"The Tragedy of Puddin' Head Wilson" is, of Twain's later work, less dark and heavily pensive, still he points out that in America racial prejudice is the crimes-- and of course slavery at any time in any history of any people.
And that may be what makes the book, on one level worth a read. It doesn't hurt that it is a MArk Twain novel, that the characters are very well developed-- non more so than the female character of Roxy.
Worth a read, for certain, and if it were a feast for the belly as well: two Michelin stars.
Per-Niklas Taub’s book reviews
Although neither one of Twain's most beloved nor his best known books, the novel known as "The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson", is nevertheless packed well enough with all of the luster of any of Twain's most famous novels. In fact, it is something of a paradigm of 19th Century writing-- there is a crime, a coutroom drama, twists and turns, and yet it is not a nod to mystery stories in general. The book is, in fact, biting and therefore stinging social commentary about southern life at that time (having been published on November 28, 1894), and still the commentary is no less relevant to our own time.
"The Tragedy of Puddin' Head Wilson" is, of Twain's later work, less dark and heavily pensive, still he points out that in America racial prejudice is the crimes-- and of course slavery at any time in any history of any people.
And that may be what makes the book, on one level worth a read. It doesn't hurt that it is a MArk Twain novel, that the characters are very well developed-- non more so than the female character of Roxy.
Worth a read, for certain, and if it were a feast for the belly as well: two Michelin stars.