A Mark Twain Christmas: A Journey Across Three Christmas Seasons

by Carlo DeVito

Filled with the remarkable wit and humor of America's favorite storyteller, A Mark Twain Christmas gives readers insight into Twain's life through little known stories about how he and his family celebrated this treasured holiday. If my boot should leave a stain on the marble...leave it there always in memory of my visit...and let it remind you to be a good little girl. When Market Twain penned this enchanting letter from Your loving Santa Claus to his daughter Susy in 1875, a holiday tradition was born inside the Twain family home. And while Twain is celebrated as the sharpest satirist in American letters, he always had a soft spot for Christmas. A Mark Twain Christmas is in turns charming, heartwarming, and heartbreaking, and it ultimately reaffirms the magic of the Christmas spirit. Looking in on three holiday seasons with Twain, we learn more about the man than we ever knew before, and we discover fascinations from gifted elephants to burglar letters to Santa's bootprints. But most of all, we regain an understanding of what is most important in our own lives, and that is the greatest gift of the Christmas season.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Biography, Holiday, History

144 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2013

About the author

Carlo DeVito is a long time wine lover, and author of books and magazine articles. He is the author of Wineries of the East Coast. He has traveled to wine regions in California, Canada, up and down the east coast, France, Spain and Chile. He was also a publisher at Running Press Book Publishers, where he published books from Wine Spectator, as well as books with Greg Moore (of Moore Bros.), Matt Kramer, Howard Goldberg, and many other wine writers. He is currently VP, Editorial Director of Sterling Epicure where his authors also include Kevin Zraly, Oz Clarke, Tom Stevenson, Terry Walters, The Fabulous Beekman Boys, and the Edible Communities cookbook program.

Mr. DeVito has also been the editor of many successful traditional trade books, including Strange Fruit by David Margolick, On the Shoulders of Giants by Stephen Hawking, and three titles by Malachy McCourt. Other authors include John and Mary Gribbin, Thomas Hoving, Philip Caputo, E. O. Wilson, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., John Edgar Wideman, Stanley Crouch, Dan Rather, Dee Brown, Susie Bright, and Eleanor Clift.

He is also the author of more than 15 books, including his highly acclaimed biographies of D. Wayne Lukas, Wellington Mara, Yogi Berra, and Phil Rizzuto.

He lives with his wife, pet publisher Dominique DeVito, and their two sons, on their farm, the Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, NY.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is my heart-warming and world-embracing Christmas hope and aspiration that all of us, the high, the low, the rich, the poor, the admired, the despised, the loved, the hated, the civilized, the savage (every man and brother of us all throughout the whole earth), may eventually be gathered together in a heaven of everlasting rest and peace and bliss, except the inventor of the telephone.

I was pleased to find A Mark Twain Christmas in my stocking on Christmas morning – a small volume, well-suited to stocking stuffing – yet it wasn't until I cracked it open today that I truly discovered exactly what it is; and while I had expected this to be a collection of Twain's own Christmas-related writings, it's both more, and as a result, less than that. In the end, this book is the fruits of Carlo DeVito's exhaustive research into Twain's Christmas-related writing: according to the Acknowledgements, this involved poring over “more than five hundred original sources, including some one-thousand letters and interviews with Twain, his children, their household members, and biographies of friends and literary partners, searching for hints of Christmas here and there to weave into this story.” The fact that these “hints of Christmas” add up to such a slim result might argue against the necessity of this collection; I assume that DeVito thought he would find more than this when he began his research.

The approach of Christmas brings harassment and dread to many excellent people. They have to buy a cart-load of presents, and they never know what to buy to hit the various tastes; they put in three weeks of hard and anxious work, and when Christmas morning comes they are so dissatisfied with the result, and so disappointed that they want to sit down and cry. Then they give thanks that Christmas comes but once a year.

Ultimately, DeVito shares the stories of three Christmases at the Clemens' homes: from 1908 is the comical tale of the household staff trying to get Twain's country estate prepared for the imminent arrival of an unusual present (a story told entirely by DeVito, which serves as an introduction to Twain's beloved final home known as Stormfield); a story from the Christmas of 1875, when Twain's three daughters were little and he wrote them a letter from Santa Claus whose physical effects can still be seen in the (present-day-historical-site) family home in Hartford, Connecticut (a story told by DeVito which includes the letter in full, and padded with much biographical information about the Clemens family); and the final story is set in 1909 – the final Christmas of Twain's life – in which tragedy visits Stormfield (a story told by DeVito, with the inclusion of much of Twain's own writing in the aftermath, and which further serves as more biography than yarn-spinning).

Jean lies yonder, I sit here; we are strangers under our own roof; we kissed hands good-by at this door last night – and it was forever, we never suspecting it. She lies there, and I sit here – writing, busying myself, to keep my heart from breaking. How dazzlingly the sunshine is flooding the hills around! It is like a mockery.

In the end, I don't know if even ten per cent of this book came from Twain's own hand (and note: I've only quoted Twain himself here), and as it is overwhelmingly moreso a briefly sketched biography of the Clemens family than it is a “Christmas collection”, the title is a bit of a stretch. As I have read The Autobiography of Mark Twain, there weren't really any surprises here, and again, I can only assume that DeVito expected to find more Christmas references when he began his research. Since this book couldn't have worked if it was any shorter (ie, just the Twain at Christmas bits), and only just sort of works as it is, DeVito may have been better off rejecting the Christmas slant and compiling everything he found interesting about the Clemens family into a longer work. A Mark Twain Christmas is enjoyable, if “padded”, and I'm still pleased that it appeared in my stocking.

[Stormcrow Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tales within are sweet and wonderful and ultimately melancholy. But sadly, this feels like one of those publishing cash grabs, a thin, barely a book about Christmas, meant to be gifted more than read.

And it's too bad since the stories are sweet, but it's hardly enough to comprise a book. The middle section is padded with a biography and I had to keep reminding myself it was a Christmas narrative since so little of the middle story has anything to do with the holiday until the end.

The biography is necessary to relate to the final chapter, but ultimately this serves more as an appetizer for Twain. Dedicated fans of the author will already be familiar with everything within so this if for people with limited knowledge of the author.

But, to be fair, the first two stories are fun holiday reading.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this. Lots of sources, much of it told in his own voice, this is really the story of Twain's life, particularly his family and personal life, framed around three different Christmases. There's an early Christmas when his children are young and he writes them letters from Santa and then there's his final Christmas in 1909 when he was a widower in failing health living with his youngest daughter and she passed away on Christmas Eve. This one has ALL the Christmas feels: joy, magic, stress, grief, love, annoyance, it's all in there somewhere in this bite-sized book. Twain fans will love it but there's lots there for us all.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas-themed books this time of year, whether set in the holiday or about the holiday. This book covers the Twain family's celebrations and lives, centering on Christmas and how the festivities them and those they assisted in their community. Twain had three daughters who enjoyed his humor and largess as they grew up, obviously loving and admiring him and their Mother. I don't want to spoil any surprises and do recommend the book, perfect for this time of year.

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is supposed to be a book of stories of three Christmas's from Mark Twains life but it's more a biography. Each section starts with the Christmas story but then the author detours into moments of Twains life. He then continues the Christmas story near the end of each of the sections. If the stories are not long enough that you have to pad them then include more stories from other Christmas's he celebrated.

[Amy Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this small volume very much! I've always been a fan of Mark Twain and had the good fortune of visiting his Hartford, Connecticut home with my parents 40 years ago. How I would love to go back! "A Mark Twain Christmas: A Journey Across Three Christmases" makes me long to visit the great home at holiday time! The anecdotes in this book about Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens) and his family, are by turns humorous and touching and always, always delightful! A perfect Christmas read!

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little book with three short stories about Christmas. Contains some nice history data I had not known before. Enjoyed this short read, that is also a love story.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I expected from this book. Perhaps a Christmas like one Charles Dickens would've envisioned, with Mark Twain's sense of humor added in.

There were some beautiful Christmas descriptions and light-hearted fun in this book.

But this is more of a historical account of three of Mark Twain's Christmases, and that last one is bleak, tormented, and grief-stricken. Not at all light or uplifting Christmas reading. The only thing Christmasy about it was that the tragedy happened at Christmastime.

From reading "The Selected Letters of Mark Twain", I even already knew about the tragedies and how they would unfold over the years. So I knew what to expect once I realized the trajectory of this book, and still, it hurts to read such awful grief. The pen that was so descriptive in expressing humor could also express sorrow, and beyond sorrow to torment.

So be forewarned if you want to read this book. I almost wonder why someone created a Mark Twain Christmas book at all if he were going to lead us through all that un-Christmasy torment, and not to any beautiful resolution. To read of such things in a biography is expected, but to read of them in a Christmas book is an ambush.

I don't mind reading of grief at Christmas in Christmas stories. I've appreciated several Anne Perry books along that train of thought. But this was something worse than mere grief, all the way to torment.

I disagreed entirely with the reviewer who wrote that this was "a light little Christmastime read." I would've given that review a shocked face if Goodreads had allowed such a thing.

I did think the story of the white elephant gift was funny.

I love that they had cats named Pestilence and Famine

Favorite quotes:

"To us, our house ... had a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with, and approvals and solicitudes, and deep sympathies; it was of us, and we were in its confidence and lived in its grace and in the peace of its benediction."

"I would say that my father was the only one at the table who found any real joy in life so early in the morning." - Clara, of her father, Mark Twain

"Joy, and peace be with you and about you, and the benediction of God rest upon you this day! ... There is something beautiful about all that old hollowed Christmas legend! It mellows a body - it warms the torpid kindnesses and charities into life. And so I hail my darling, with a great, big, whole-hearted Christmas blessing. God be and abide wit her evermore." - Twain to his wife Livvy

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some small amount of obsession with Twain - his wit, wordplay, and responses are remarkable even given the passage of time, so finding this thin volume, I picked it up readily and am the better for having done so. This work presents snippets from Twain's letters, reflections from his daughter, and so forth all addressing the loving season of the holiday. While it does deal innately with three different times, the reader readily sees Twain being, well, Twain - quick to point out the foibles and silliness of the holiday while also being innately carried away by the import of the season. Though the time periods allow us to see the joy of the young Twain with his children - the famous Man in the Moon letter - it also delves into a later Christmas, detailing the loss of his daughter and reflecting on other losses. While this is, of course, tragic, we see hints of Twain's belief and strength here - an emotional "pauper" still imbued with memories of the import of the season.

This volume is powerful, historical, and personal. While I have plans to read the three volumes of Mark Twain's Autobiography, this small sampling of his life during the holiday season is powerful and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the man behind the stories.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors and I was excited to read a Christmas book dedicated entirely to him. While this book does reminisce about three specific Christmas seasons lived by Twain and his family, it's also very somber, dealing with the death of not only three of his four children, but his wife as well. It was heartbreaking to learn his daughter Jean died on Christmas Eve. In this book you see how generous Twain and his wife Livy were during the holiday season, his sense of humor, and the joy and love they had for their children, their friends, and the people they shared their lives with. A quick, enjoyable read, perfect for the Christmas season.

Some of my favorite passages from the book:

"Family is the connective tissue that makes Christmas such an important season for each and every one of us."

"'She lies there, and I sit here-writing, busying myself, to keep my heart from breaking. How dazzlingly the sunshine is flooding the hills around! It is like a mockery.'"

"'They told me the first mourner to come was the dog. He came uninvited, and stood up on his hind legs and rested his fore paws upon the trestle, and took a last long look at the face that was so clear to him, then went his way as silently as he had come. HE KNOWS.'"

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Glimpses of Twain's life can be found in reading about the three Christmases shared in this book, some joyous, some poignant. Nonfiction can be tricky to write, I've observed. Parts of this short book flowed, others not quite. I do recommend this book. Unless you've read other bios from Twain's life, you'll most likely be surprised and touched.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book about Mark Twain by Carlo DeVito. I collect books about Christmas, and this was such a nice surprise--happily adding to my Library. Twain was a wonderful husband; father; friend as well as writer. Because of the stories, I will be going to his home in Hartford, CT in the near future.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Christmases

A wonderful look at Samuel Clemens and his family at Christmas. We share three Christmases with the family as we seem to be spirits from a future time . We laugh, we cry, we join in the delights of every moment of these Christmases. Like the Clemens family may we open our hearts and give everyone a hearty Christmas .

[Joseph Hageman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, very well written and educational book about Mark Twain and his family at Christmas seasons in their history.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Samuel Clemens and his family in this short book. Makes me want to learn more.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and informative

[Jake Kurtz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stocking stuffer for Christmas, although the final story is terribly tragic.

[Robin]

A light little Christmastime read.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells of three Christmases in the family of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). You get a real feel for the love within the family!

[Jana Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the holidays coming up, I though this book would inspire me--I love Mark Twain and thought I could incorporate his Christmas traditions into my family. It wasn't as much like that as I thought it would be, though. It turns out, Mark Twain was quite a prankster, as you learn in the first story, The Elephant in the Room. This is not really surprising given his gift for humor. In Santa's Footprint, you learn that Twain went to great lengths to make Christmas special and memorable for his family. The Last Christmas, the final Twain family Christmas story, was heartbreaking and seemed undeserving after Twain's lifetime of humor. The short biography gave me a lot of insight into Twain that I could never have gained from just reading his novels. I'm now even more inspired to read his autobiography.

[Eugenia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected at all. I expected this to be a funny little book with some Christmas stories by Twain and about Twain-- a light, funny, holiday read to share with my kids. It was much more biographical than I expected and while I only read the first third or so, there was only one short funny story in it (The Elephant in the Room). Even that was more grin than chuckle... If you are looking for a book that tells about how Twain celebrated Christmas: where, with whom etc. then this is the book for you; but if you want to be amused and put in the holiday spirit, I would skip it. It has none of the depth or humor that his novels have. I rarely give up on a book before the end, but this just wasn't what I was looking for.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mark Twain Christmas is a remarkable book. I appreciate the extent that the author went to capture the essence of what a Christmas was like in the Clemens family household. We learn so much about Mark Twain just by looking at these three very different holiday seasons. I also enjoyed the fact that this book reveals more than just a literary genius in Samuel Clemens- but an honorable family man, a giving and generous community member, and someone who appreciated the finer things in life. It's an easy read in beautiful packaging, a great gift book and perfect for anyone looking for that piece of Twain knowledge and history without reading the volumes of his autobiography.

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story...very human to the core, with feeling and a heart of it's own. It is a small glimpse into the life of Mark Twain with focus on Christmas, but is a story of so much more. It is about family, and love , and humor....and a grand example of why we each should take time to show love to those we hold dear , but also, to our fellow man.

[Fran Somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

You will wish you had been born into the Clemens family when you read this sweet, short remembrance. Twain's love & celebration of Christmas, family, charity, and good cheer may only be rivaled by Dickens. All the happiness goes hand-in-hand with great heartbreak. Without it, we wouldn't be reminded how important it is to celebrate what we have.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at Mark Twain's Christmas traditions, and a glimpse into his family life. He dearly loved his wife Livy and their three daughters and lavished his love on them especially at Christmas. He was an amazing author and satirist, but his personal life was not devoid of pain and sorrow. This was a heartfelt look into his personal life.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally picked this up as a potential stocking stuffer ( a collectable, light, feel good book). It's an interesting look at 3 of Clemens family Christmas seasons. It packs a lot of information in a small book.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three short stories that are light hearted and informative about the Clemens family. Would make a good stocking stuffer.

[Andrea Gierlinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little read, especially if you like Mark Twain.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and may get to tour the house in a few days...excited!

[Chelsie Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, short insight into the author.