The Gilded Age (1873)

A comic tale of land speculation and greed that is depressingly familiar. "A Novel of Today" indeed. Although this was written in the early ages of the 'Gilded Age' to which it would give its name, before the rise of the great industrial conglomerates and wars of conquest and imperialism, it does reveal the current spirit of corruption and greed.

This is Twain's only collaborative novel, and despite the possible hazards thereof, is actually pretty good. It is fairly obvious when the other guy takes over. He's not bad, and is even witty - but few compare to the great Master Twain. The scenes on the riverboat and in Congress shine, and are almost at the level of Twain's best stuff. ( )

First line:
~ Squire Hawkins sat upon the pyramid of large blocks, called the 'stile', contemplating the morning ~

Well, I have to say, I understand that this is not one of Mark Twain's best so I may try another later on. I found it tedious and boring at times. But I got through it. Perhaps if you read it when it was written, the social commentary would have been more significant. ( )

This may not be considered Twain's best, although I hope the political correctness crowd does not tamper with it as well, it is an entertaining and easy read. The subtitle seems to be the real import of the novel, a tale of today. Twain pokes fun at social mores such as the expected role of women and he knocks the inept and corrupt Congress for its short comings. As a result, the novel is just as timely today as it was for a perceptive critic of his day, Twain.

Begun: 2-11-09
Finished: 3-8-09
Rating: 9 ( )

Twain wrote this as a parody of politics in what he called "The Gilded Age." It probably seemed funny to Twain and his co-author, Ward Just. It probably seemed funny to the people who bought it, who were close enough in time to appreciate all the jokes.

We're now living about 150 years away from those events. We no longer appreciate the jokes. We no longer even recognize the jokes as jokes. We can't tell a straight line from a crooked. We don't know who or what in the heck the authors are joking about.

The upshot is that this book used to be funny but it is funny no longer. This book is boring. I gave it three stars because I read that it was once funny and the fact that it is not funny any longer is no fault of those who created it.

Most definitely NOT recommended. ( )