Mark Twain's Other Woman
Apr 21, 2010
Mark Twain's Other Woman
The Hidden Story of His Final Years
Laura Skandera Trombley
Category: Biography & Autobiography - Literary
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
On Sale: March 16, 2010
Price: $27.95
ISBN: 978-0-307-27344-4 (0-307-27344-X)
Today, April 21st, 2010 just happens to be the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain's death, so it's a fitting date to review a book about his life, or should I say, the secret unknown parts of his life.
If you're a historical biography fan, this is a great book for you to read. A book that reveals another side of Mark Twain, one hidden from the world behind his jovial, everyman persona. A true image of Mark Twain that it appears he and his family went to great lengths to hide.
The truth comes from Isabel Van Kleek Lyon, Mark's secretary for six years during the last ten years of his life. Isabel lived with the family and did everything for Mark, from running errands to being his mouthpiece to the public.
Suddenly she was kicked out and cut off, forbidden to be mentioned by the family and biographers writing about Mark Twain. No one ever knew what occurred to cause such hostility from Mark and as time went on, she was forgotten by history, her story unknown.
What was discovered recently was that Isabel was a copious writer of her own. She kept detailed journals of her time with Mark Twain and all that transpired. Turns out Mark was not what he showed to the world. There are numerous juicy little tidbits that rise to the surface through Isabel's writings.
A great read for someone who wants to know the real Mark Twain.
