How to Tell a Story and Other Essays Mark Twain Books
Download As PDF : How to Tell a Story and Other Essays Mark Twain Books
Why the Humorous Story Can Only Be Told by Americans I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told. There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind-the humorous. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter. The humorous story may wander around as much as it pleases, but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the others burst. The teller of the comic story does not slur the nub; he shouts it at you-every time. And when he prints it, he italicizes it, puts some whooping exclamation-points after it, and sometimes explains it in a parenthesis. All of which is very depressing, and makes one want to renounce joking and lead a better life. Get Your Copy Now
How to Tell a Story and Other Essays Mark Twain Books
In the primary essay in this small book, with more misdirection than modesty, Mark Twain starts by saying he does not claim to know how a story should be told but knows a good one when he hears one. Now he's talking about "humorous" stories, the kind Americans can tell, and not the comic or witty stories that Englishmen and Frenchmen tell. The mark of a good humorous story is in the art of its telling and not in the subject matter, as are those told by foreign storytellers. The beauty of this essay is that after aquainting the reader with the technique of telling a good American humorous story, he presents a sample that proves his opening disclaimer false, by telling such a story to perfection, and by giving the reader the illusion of hearing it told aloud on a stage, as he was noted for. Alas, it is a story told in dialect that probably cannot be read by some today for its humor, but I think there is a spirit in it that transcends today's objections and believe that all Americans can revel in the good humor of the mentality behind this story.The other essays in this book are also good examples of the work of 19th century America's greatest storyteller and wit.
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How to Tell a Story and Other Essays Mark Twain Books Reviews
I thought I was buying a BOOK, but what arrived was more like a pamphlet......or a "booklet." It is 8 1/2" x 11" which is not the usual size for a book, and altho it does contain the essays as advertised, I would NOT call it a book. Since this was supposed to be a gift, I am very disappointed.
The stories transported me back to younger years when I would sit entranced while listening to my dad and uncles as they reminisced and told their own stories of their childhood. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Mark Twain is a personal storytelling favorite and all storytellers or just to up your strength of conversation will benefit.
Very short and entertaining. He starts out by giving you his lesson and then tells a brief comic story to illustrate how not to tell a story, because he finds it more obnoxious than funny. It his helarious. He then tells his own story whose main point is to trick you. He never says the point of the story. It is subtle and entertaining.
Looks like something someone printed out of their PC and stapled together... Not a quality publication, no matter how much I enjoy the content. It seems a disgraceful effort, given the caliber of the author. How can you justify the price??!!
If anyone knows how to tell a story it is Mark Twain. Combining humor and beautiful language this essay is a great read education and give insight into this great man's mind.
This book includes
* How to tell a story
* The wounded soldier
* The golden arm
* Mental telegraphy again
* The invalid story
How to tell a story starts with Mark Twain's famous disclaimer "I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told, for I have been almost daily in the company of the most expert story-tellers for many years."
He uses the four stories to illustrate his points about story telling.
For example, his premise is that a humorous story does not have a purposes, it can go on and on as long as it is funny. The Wounded Soldier story demonstrates this point. He explains how to delivery a story with pauses and noises using The Golden Arm story to illustrate.
This book is a quick and easy read. And I could not wipe the smile off my face either.
Ali Julia review
The more one learns of the author & the man the more evident his genius in many subjects. It should be noted that he was also a great humanitarian fighting for racial equality and women's rights. This is a perfect sample of short stories readable or as an audio completable in it's entirety in an hour. This short collection also gives us a glimpse into the types of humor popular in this period which makes it historically relevant. The surprising aspect I believe most will find in this sampling of Twain are the "New Age" thoughts. I doubt many people realize that Twain and Tesla were friends. It's my opinion both men would still be ahead of their time in today's society. This is a book for all ages as Twain's rare talent of what I'll call "multi-level writing" offers something for all ages and backgrounds. Twain is that timeless writer in many ways, to be enjoyed by many generations to come and one that you can re-read as you mature. "I've yet to read a Twain I didn't like at some level." (They're all probably in the public domain as well & free is a price even I can afford!)
In the primary essay in this small book, with more misdirection than modesty, Mark Twain starts by saying he does not claim to know how a story should be told but knows a good one when he hears one. Now he's talking about "humorous" stories, the kind Americans can tell, and not the comic or witty stories that Englishmen and Frenchmen tell. The mark of a good humorous story is in the art of its telling and not in the subject matter, as are those told by foreign storytellers. The beauty of this essay is that after aquainting the reader with the technique of telling a good American humorous story, he presents a sample that proves his opening disclaimer false, by telling such a story to perfection, and by giving the reader the illusion of hearing it told aloud on a stage, as he was noted for. Alas, it is a story told in dialect that probably cannot be read by some today for its humor, but I think there is a spirit in it that transcends today's objections and believe that all Americans can revel in the good humor of the mentality behind this story.
The other essays in this book are also good examples of the work of 19th century America's greatest storyteller and wit.
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