Comments | kellyrfineman: The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

kellyrfineman

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)

May 24, 2010 11:11

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nonfiction monday, biographies, fotheringham, twain, nonfiction, kerley, picture books

Comments 15

COOL! slatts May 24 2010, 15:26:10 UTC

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Re: COOL! kellyrfineman May 24 2010, 17:11:13 UTC

LOVE Mr. Twain there!

LOVE Mr. Twain there! slatts May 24 2010, 17:18:11 UTC

Thanks, Kelly. And thanks for sharing a cool book.

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Thread 5

jamarattigan May 24 2010, 15:55:43 UTC

Must see this one. Thanks for the faboo review!

kellyrfineman May 24 2010, 17:11:40 UTC

I predict that you will love this book.

bogwitch64 May 24 2010, 17:05:59 UTC

I am totally amazed by how well that last drawing captures the Twain house in Hartford! The dark, heavily ornate woodworking is incredible in the house itself. If you ever get to Hartford, CT, see the Twain and Beecher-Stowe houses/museum.

They really were contemporaenous neighbors. I always thought they moved one or both houses to accomodate a museum setting, but no--that's where they actually lived, side by side. The Beecher-Stowe house has a cozy cottage feel. The Twain house is gothic and grand. It is an inspiring place to be.

kellyrfineman May 24 2010, 17:17:41 UTC

That is wild! I didn't realize they were neighbors, but of course after your mention, I googled it and lo! Thomas Beecher performed the marriage ceremony for the Clemenses, and Henry Beecher helped Twain land a publishing contract for Innocents Abroad. (That would be the same Henry who was the noted abolitionist and who got caught up in a massive sex scandal!)

bogwitch64 May 24 2010, 17:20:40 UTC

Yes! It's amazing the things you can learn while there. The guides really know their stuff. One told the story of how Harriet used to sit in the garden with the Twain children on occassion, how Twain was in awe of her. By that time, she was known all over the world, this soft-spoken older woman. He was a young, up-and-coming writer. It's a great place.

kellyrfineman May 24 2010, 17:18:18 UTC

Oh - and I will for sure visit those houses next time I'm in Hartford. They sound wonderful!

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kellyrfineman May 25 2010, 02:07:45 UTC

Exactly! I hope the Universe is listening!

jeannineatkins May 25 2010, 00:12:04 UTC

I will read anything Barbara Kerley writes and this sounds wonderful.

And I live only about an hour from Hartford, so let me know if you ever want to tour the houses. I did it maybe five years ago, and very worthwhile: and I'd love to do it again with you!

kellyrfineman May 25 2010, 02:08:14 UTC

Ooh - that would be a Most Excellent Field Trip!