Inventing Mark Twain: The Lives of Samuel Langhorne Clemens

by Andrew Jay Hoffman

This provocative, definitive biography explores the revealing and resonant contradictions between the true character of Samuel Clemens and his self-created alter ego, Mark Twain. Richly detailed and filled with new information from primary sources, Inventing Mark Twain traces an extraordinary life that led from Mississippi steamboats to the California goldfields to cultural immortality as America's national philosopher.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

592 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 1997

Reviews

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an overview of Twain's life, this bio was nothing more than "ok". It goes into little detail on the major events of his life, yet wants to dwell on the trivial. It does little to add new light to Twain's writings.

It tries to make up for a lack of substance by speculating on Twain's sexuality. The author speculates that Twain probably engaged in homosexual activity following this logic:
Miners were lonely
Miners did not have women for sexual company
Miners turned to each other on occasion
Twain was a miner and knew lots of miners
Twain therefore turned to other miners for sex
And
Some of the writers and artists in San Francisco were homosexual
Twain was a writer in San Francisco
Twain knew other writers in San Francisco
Twain was homosexual

It is hardly a convincing arguement and ultimately seems to be thrown in more for titillation that for any meaningful reason. There are much better bios of Twain to turn to.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally good biography

[Atchisson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably only for the serious Twain fans looking for controversial takes on his personal life. tries to imply a homosexual background uncorroborated by most reputable sources. Familiar ground not creatively tread, except maybe as far as the facts go.