Play Book Tag discussion

Roughing It by Mark Twain - 4* - My Review

This book, published in 1872, is a fictional account based on Mark Twain’s real experiences traveling to the western US in the 1860s. He accompanied his brother, who was named Secretary of the Nevada Territory. It covers the protagonist’s travels in Nevada Territory, Utah Territory, California, and Hawaii. Adventures and misadventures abound – gold and silver mining, travel by stagecoach, interacting with the Mormons in Salt Lake City, obtaining various jobs including reporter, which leads to further opportunities. Twain’s writing is colloquial, lively, and engaging. He liberally employs humor and self-deprecation, especially regarding his failed “get rich quick” schemes. He tells a few tall tales along the way. This book was selected for my library’s reading program, related to the celebration of “Mark Twain Days.” Since I live in the area, I enjoyed the many descriptions of the local region as it existed in the past, including Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Carson City, Dayton, and Mono Lake. The only downside is the depiction of native tribes (and several other groups), which includes racial prejudices that were fairly typical of the era.