Nov 23 2009
Twain-tastic
Fans of perhaps Missouri’s greatest-ever artistic export should note two new editions of Mark Twain out now. The first, Mark Twain’s Book of Animals (University of California Press, $29.95), is a lavish hardcover collection of the master’s writings, both fiction and nonfiction, on animals. Twain loved animals of all kinds and had enlightened views regarding their proper, humane treatment (pretty unusual for a 19th-century male raised on the American frontier). The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with engravings by Barry Moser and it’s truly a gem of the book craftsman’s art. Kudos to the good folks at U. of California Press for this striking volume.
Then there’s that book called The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Penguin Classics has a brand-new deluxe edition of it in paperback ($16.00), replete with very snappy graphic novel-inspired cover design and French flaps. It’s impressive-looking and a whole new excuse to re-read what many regard as the definitive American novel (that “many” absolutely includes me) — because Huck Finn
only gets better and better with each successive visit back to its evergreen pages. Buy one or both of these titles for yourself or as the ideal gifts for the Twain lover in your circle. E-books are just never going to be able to match the quality and enduring appeal of real, immaculately produced paper-and-ink books — like these!
4 responses so far
Huck is a thrill-ride. The deeper into the book you go, the more fantastic it gets. And that’s another thing those e-books — the “e” stands for “ersatz” — miss. Does anybody else put down the book for the night and take pleasure in how far the bookmark has moved? Huck Finn is one of those books that brings the greatest thrill when you’re down to a quarter of the total pages in your right hand; the feel of the book getting faster is a tactile delight. I don’t believe the e-books have an equivalent sensation. Well, maybe when you snatch them out of someone else’s hands and bop ‘em on the head with it. That’s why they call it a “Kindle,” you know. If you use it on someone properly, it’s just kindling-sized pieces when you’re done with it.
Paul, I couldn’t agree with you more re the Big E. However obvious its limitations and lack of tactile appeal, though, the e-book will catch on big time. Not to the point of the extinction of the real book — not nearly — but it’ll do a bit of damage before it’s supplanted by an even newer gizmo. You see, after years of painstaking research and interviews in the field, I’ve arrived at a profound thesis I feel compelled to share with everyone: Americans like gadgets.
I agree that your thesis is sound and well-supported by evidence. But consider this, mon frere: Are Americans and Readers the same thing? I think of the latter as a nation unified not by ethnicity, nor socio-political stance, nor geography, but by a shared reverence for books. Americans like their beer cold, their TV loud and their gadgets to be crappy and plentiful, to paraphrase the great philosopher Homer Simpson. But readers tend to have more books than gadgets, their TV is generally dormant and their beer is best enjoyed at cellar temperature. Or if you want to go more abstract: How many e-copies of “War and Peace” will be sold this year — more or less than the number of actual bound editions of Mr. Tolstoy’s big Russian playground? I may be wrong, but I suspect that those witch-tablets are mostly bloated with trashy magazines, Mitch Albom books and the unrespectable wastelands of Mack Bolan adventures for the gents and VC Andrews’ finest for the ladies. I say that, of course, with the free and open admission that I hunted down and devoured about 30 Mack Bolan’s when I was but a callow youth.
As usual, sir, your insight is equalled only by the astounding length of your luxuriant, calf-length, rainbow-hued dreadlocks. In a word and, furthermore, within the confines of a nutshell, you are correct many times over, Jasper.
Readers may indeed be the citizens of a separate nation residing on either side of an invisible, yet tangible, Mason-Dixon line. I always think it’s best to retain dual citizenship, to be both a good American and a good Reader, but I’m also prone to pipe dreams.
In closing, let me say in relation to this particular reader’s own domestic arrangements that I prefer my beer cold if it’s lager, less cold if it’s stout, and poured down the sink if it’s Bud Light. As for the 20-foot TV in my strobe-lit home theater module situated above my Frontenac carriage house, it’s usually best enjoyed if the power switch is in the “off” position. Unless a “King of Queens” re-run is on. There’s nothing like the glory of Doug and Carrie Heffernan — and Arthur Spooner — in life-size, bickering splendor. Amen.