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The Boys' Life of Mark Twain
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
- GenresBiography
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1915
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43 people want to read
About the author
Albert Bigelow Paine
578 books20 followersAlbert Bigelow Paine was an American author and biographer best known for his work with Mark Twain. Paine was a member of the Pulitzer Prize Committee and wrote in several genres, including fiction, humour, and verse.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 6, 2013
I haven't finished this book yet, but I feel the strong urge to review it. This book is easy to read, with occasional witty remarks and excerpts from mark twain himself; making me feel closer than ever to this remarkable figure. Snorts were echoed, giggles erupted and tears were shed when Mark Twain lost his beloved Suzy. I feel like I was there with him.
Reading this book makes me realize just how lame my life is and it inspired me to change the way I look at my companions and life goals. Wandering and friendship helps shaping mark twain's life, maybe being a little lost isn't a bad thing at all! The book gives me the impression that mark was like Peter Pan, never really grew up, and got loved for it. It means so much to a girl that constantly finds herself in some forms of mischief, and a weird sense of humor. Maybe, just maybe, She can just be myself and be loved for it just like mark was.
Reading this book makes me realize just how lame my life is and it inspired me to change the way I look at my companions and life goals. Wandering and friendship helps shaping mark twain's life, maybe being a little lost isn't a bad thing at all! The book gives me the impression that mark was like Peter Pan, never really grew up, and got loved for it. It means so much to a girl that constantly finds herself in some forms of mischief, and a weird sense of humor. Maybe, just maybe, She can just be myself and be loved for it just like mark was.
October 8, 2017
This was a terrific book, made all the better by Librivox's amazing narration. I frequently found myself forgetting that this was being narrated, so convinced was I by the way the reader took on the role. I feel inspired to listen to more books by Mark Twain, now that I've become acquainted with him. I never realised how popular he was or how remarkable. And I'll be looking out for more books by Albert Paine too.
July 1, 2017
This is a short, compact version of Albert Bigelow Paine’s official biography of Mark Twain, ideal for those who wish to learn about the most significant events of Twain’s life without having to wade through three volumes and approx. 1500 pages.
Bigelow Paine loved, adored, worshipped and idolized Mark Twain and although „The Boys‘ Life“ is very well written and immensely enjoyable I still feel (as I said in my review of the long version) that maybe a biographer should not be too emotionally involved with his subject. One can feel how it pains Mr. Paine to have to say anything even slightly critical of Mark Twain the person or of any of his works. He writes that : “For me, of course, nothing can ever be like it again in this world. One is not likely to associate twice with a being from another star”, “Mark Twain had been born under a flaming star, a wanderer of the skies. He was himself, to me, always a comet rushing through space, from mystery to mystery, regardless of sun and systems” and “It was my wish only to serve him; it was a privilege and an honour to give him happiness”.
One day I’d like to read a more balanced and impartial Mark Twain biography; one that doesn’t portray him as “a being from another star” whose dark side must be swept under the carpet and whose skeletons must remain in the cupboard but as a human being, definitely extraordinary, but flawed like the rest of us.
Bigelow Paine loved, adored, worshipped and idolized Mark Twain and although „The Boys‘ Life“ is very well written and immensely enjoyable I still feel (as I said in my review of the long version) that maybe a biographer should not be too emotionally involved with his subject. One can feel how it pains Mr. Paine to have to say anything even slightly critical of Mark Twain the person or of any of his works. He writes that : “For me, of course, nothing can ever be like it again in this world. One is not likely to associate twice with a being from another star”, “Mark Twain had been born under a flaming star, a wanderer of the skies. He was himself, to me, always a comet rushing through space, from mystery to mystery, regardless of sun and systems” and “It was my wish only to serve him; it was a privilege and an honour to give him happiness”.
One day I’d like to read a more balanced and impartial Mark Twain biography; one that doesn’t portray him as “a being from another star” whose dark side must be swept under the carpet and whose skeletons must remain in the cupboard but as a human being, definitely extraordinary, but flawed like the rest of us.
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September 20, 2023biography that introduces young readers to the fascinating life and literary contributions of the renowned American author Mark Twain. In the classroom instruct each student to create their own "Mark Twain's Adventure Journal" using a notebook or sheets of paper. They should decorate the cover to make it look like a journal from the 19th century.
January 14, 2024
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1vSj...
August 29, 2016
I don't normally read biographies. I'm more interested in narrative fiction. But for my lecture series I was asked to focus on the life of great authors. It seemed like a no-brainer move to follow Twain's autobiography with The Boy's Life of Mark Twain, written by a man who lived with Twain at the end of his life. Plus, there's an excellent -free- librivox recording...
I found both the autobiography and this to be very moving. When you study the 19th century, all your heroes are dead, so maybe that's why I tend to avoid biography. I cried multiple times reading this: Susy's death, Livy's death, Jean's death, Twain's death, Twain's reception in Missouri late in life, plus a few I'm forgetting. Paine effectively writes these moments to create pathos without being maudlin. You can tell how much Paine admired and loved Twain both as an author and as a human being.
What struck me forcibly was Twain's tender heart. He is so sarcastic and humorous that people may forget how deeply he felt for people (and animals). This isn't surprising - how else could he have imagined Huck Finn with so much compassion? - but I didn't understand how deep his expansive humanity was before I read the autobiography and this book.
Some sections of this book felt unnecessary because Twain described them so much better in the autobiography - like his time on the Mississippi. But Paine's research unearthed many things Twain clearly forgot or neglected to mention - such as the origin of Huck Finn's adventure with Jim being based on Ben Blankenship's experience hiding an escaped slave. The character of Huck is based on Ben's brother Tom.
That said this is a necessary companion to the autobiography because Twain was so bad with doing anything in chronological order.
One last thing: I loved how Paine described his time with Twain, how they played billiards and talked, while Paine kept notes, how he spoke with so much lighthearted tenderness of Twain's love of astronomy and inability to do the math required of a real astronomer, how he described Twain's physical appearance as almost luminescent as he lounged and visited. It is doubtful that this is anything but an incredibly biased book, but it doesn't try to be anything but what it is.
I found both the autobiography and this to be very moving. When you study the 19th century, all your heroes are dead, so maybe that's why I tend to avoid biography. I cried multiple times reading this: Susy's death, Livy's death, Jean's death, Twain's death, Twain's reception in Missouri late in life, plus a few I'm forgetting. Paine effectively writes these moments to create pathos without being maudlin. You can tell how much Paine admired and loved Twain both as an author and as a human being.
What struck me forcibly was Twain's tender heart. He is so sarcastic and humorous that people may forget how deeply he felt for people (and animals). This isn't surprising - how else could he have imagined Huck Finn with so much compassion? - but I didn't understand how deep his expansive humanity was before I read the autobiography and this book.
Some sections of this book felt unnecessary because Twain described them so much better in the autobiography - like his time on the Mississippi. But Paine's research unearthed many things Twain clearly forgot or neglected to mention - such as the origin of Huck Finn's adventure with Jim being based on Ben Blankenship's experience hiding an escaped slave. The character of Huck is based on Ben's brother Tom.
That said this is a necessary companion to the autobiography because Twain was so bad with doing anything in chronological order.
One last thing: I loved how Paine described his time with Twain, how they played billiards and talked, while Paine kept notes, how he spoke with so much lighthearted tenderness of Twain's love of astronomy and inability to do the math required of a real astronomer, how he described Twain's physical appearance as almost luminescent as he lounged and visited. It is doubtful that this is anything but an incredibly biased book, but it doesn't try to be anything but what it is.
June 13, 2013
Fascinating biography of an extraordinary author. Very nicely written...un-put-down-able!
December 23, 2014
Really enjoyed hearing about the life of such a creative man. Includes quotes from Mark Twain. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews