Wiley-Blackwell A Companion to Mark Twain (Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture)

Review "The editors have done an exemplary job in maintaining a very high level of scholarly excellence in almost all these contributions. On a vast range of subjects there is a plenitude here of scholarly research and insight, some of it at least exploring new ground …  and much of it proving illuminating and challenging." (Notes and Queries, June 2009) "Highly recommended for the reference shelves of libraries collecting work on American literature and culture." (Reference Reviews) Product Description This broad-ranging companion brings together respected American and European critics and a number of up-and-coming scholars to provide an overview of Twain, his background, his writings, and his place in American literary history.One of the most broad-ranging volumes to appear on Mark Twain in recent yearsBrings together respected Twain critics and a number of younger scholars in the field to provide an overview of this central figure in American literaturePlaces special emphasis on the ways in which Twain's works remain both relevant and important for a twenty-first century audienceA concluding essay evaluates the changing landscape of Twain criticism From the Inside Flap Mark Twain is one of the best-known figures of American literature. This broad-ranging companion brings together many of the most respected American and European critics and a number of up-and-coming scholars to provide an overview of Twain, his background, his writings, and his place in American literary history. It places especial emphasis on the ways in which the author's works remain both relevant and important for a twenty-first century audience. The book approaches Twain through six subject headings: his cultural and historical context; his relationships with other writers; his role in the larger professional world of publishing and performing; studies of his travel writing; studies of his fictional works; and readings of his role as a humorist. A concluding essay evaluates the changing landscape of Twain criticism. This organisation provides a strong basis for the exploration and re-evaluation of Twain's work and cultural importance. From the Back Cover Mark Twain is one of the best-known figures of American literature. This broad-ranging companion brings together many of the most respected American and European critics and a number of up-and-coming scholars to provide an overview of Twain, his background, his writings, and his place in American literary history. It places especial emphasis on the ways in which the author's works remain both relevant and important for a twenty-first century audience. The book approaches Twain through six subject headings: his cultural and historical context; his relationships with other writers; his role in the larger professional world of publishing and performing; studies of his travel writing; studies of his fictional works; and readings of his role as a humorist. A concluding essay evaluates the changing landscape of Twain criticism. This organisation provides a strong basis for the exploration and re-evaluation of Twain's work and cultural importance. About the Author Peter Messent is Professor of Modern American Literature at Nottingham University. He is the author of The Short Works of Mark Twain: A Critical Study (2001), Mark Twain (1997), Ernest Hemingway (1992), and New Readings of the American Novel: Narrative Theory and its Application (1990), and editor of Criminal Proceedings: The Contemporary American Crime Novel (1997). Louis J. Budd is James B. Duke Professor (Emeritus) of American Literature at Duke University, where he taught American Literature from 1981 to 1991. He is the author of Mark Twain: Social Philosopher (reissued 2001) and Our Mark Twain: The Making of his Public Personality (1983) and the editor of Mark Twain: The Contemporary Reviews (1999). He served as founding president of the Mark Twain Circle of America.