Review of Mark Twain
by Johny McFliggen, PhD Literature & Business, Oxford
Ah, the curious case of a book that doesn't exist yet still manages to capture our imagination. It's like discussing the latest blockbuster from Christopher Nolan that hasn't been filmed, or dissecting a new Radiohead album still floating in the ether. Ron Chernow, a biographical powerhouse, has not graced us with a tome on Mark Twain, but let's indulge in this hypothetical exercise.
Were Chernow to wield his biographical scalpel on Twain, we might expect a meticulous dissection of the literary luminary's life. Chernow, known for transforming historical figures into living, breathing constructs of narrative art, would surely revel in Twain's duality as both a public jester and a private philosopher. Imagine the depths of Twain's psyche laid bare with the same rigor Chernow applied to Alexander Hamilton—a man whose life he resurrected with such fervor that it inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to pen a musical sensation.
In the existing biographical realm, Ron Powers' "Mark Twain: A Life" offers a thorough exploration of Twain’s evolution from Samuel Clemens into the icon we revere. Powers’ work dives into the complexities and contradictions of Twain's personality, much like Chernow did with Ulysses S. Grant, peeling back layers of myth to reveal the man beneath.
Michael Shelden's "Mark Twain: Man in White" is another worthy contender, chronicling Twain's later years with a keen eye for detail. Shelden’s focus on Twain’s twilight era could parallel Chernow’s narrative skills in "Washington: A Life," where he deftly navigated the post-presidency life of America's first commander in chief.
Chernow’s hypothetical biography would undoubtedly navigate Twain's political rhetoric with the same incisiveness he employed when tackling John D. Rockefeller in "Titan." Twain’s biting social commentary and political musings would find a comfortable home within Chernow’s analytical prose.
While we await Chernow's potential foray into Twain's world—should he choose to embark on such a journey—we can only speculate on the revelations it might contain. Until then, we are left with the rich landscape of existing Twain biographies that continue to illuminate the complexities of America's most sardonic son.
In the absence of this non-existent work, one can only dream of what might be, much like waiting for a sequel to a beloved film that has yet to grace our screens. For now, I recommend indulging in the current biographical offerings and cherishing the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain through those lenses.
Purchase Link: Mark Twain on Amazon
