Mark Twain

Publications about Twain have slowed at least temporarily, a fact quite noticeable with regard to the smaller number of scholars taking up Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but virtually every book and essay that does appear seems capable of making an impact. A new classroom text of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer offers unique advantages. A contemplative biographical monograph, for example, sifts through Mark Twain's legacy of vivid images. Several publications explore Twain's mental zigzags about the Civil War and his civilian status during that military crucible. A special issue of a Japan-based journal gives "The War-Prayer" its most thoroughgoing examination ever. Several general interpretations venture pungent new readings of Twain's writings. One of them discusses Twain's spiritual side in great detail and gives greater credit than is usually accorded to the Reverend Joseph H. Twichell for helping Twain ponder the implications of his evolving theology. Another book takes a large step toward catching the Mark Twain field up with those of other authors in the area of cross-gender studies.