Hey people,
This time I read Roughing It by Mark Twain. Now believe me, this was a big surprise for me, but I didn't really like it. I usually like Mark Twain's stuff, but this failed to intrigue me. I was really sad about it too. I had made up my mind that I would probably like it, just because it was Mark Twain, but I was wrong. :(
The story was basically a semi-autobiographical account of Mark Twain's adventures in the Wild West from the years 1861-1867. Sounds alright, right? Wrong. I dunno what was up, but it just seemed really random and disconnected. He spent wayyyyyyyy too long on a stagecoach and felt it was necessary to explain everything. Everything he explained had some connection to the story of course, but was it really necessary? For instance, when traveling through a dreary section of nothingness somewhere in the middle of the United States, he made the comment that it was dangerous robbery territory. Then, he expanded upon the subject and told about a famous outlaw who used to roam the territory and how he wanted revenge in some guy blah blah blah blah blah. You get the point. He spent a whole chapter on it. He expanded upon everything from jackrabbits to Indian outlaws. Did this advance the story? I didn't think so, but maybe I missed the point.
In my opinion, if you would like to try Mark Twain, don't start with this one. Try Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County or The Prince and the Pauper.
Considering that this book wasn't poorly written, but just rather not my style, I rate it a 3/5.
Tony
3/5 recommendation
Fine post Lord Anthony. I was thinking about reading that book. It did seem interesting.That is my favorite era in history so I think I will read it some time, but I suppose I shall try one of Mark Twain's other books first. They all take place around that time period, right?
ReplyDelete~Rosie
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this book. I figured you wouldn't like it. Did you like the part about Brigham Young. HILARIOUS.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, it wasn't supposed to be a story, it's a travelogue. His observations on everything he sees. There's another one about his trip to Europe, called The Innocents Abroad.
ReplyDeleteGuess what!! I've actually read this one! I liked it. The part when he was making fun of the Mormon bible was really funny. "...it was chloroform in print." That's great, only I bet most Mormon kids would have been mad.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Very interesting. Great to hear everyone's point of view. I have not read this, but I have read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Tom Sawyer was awesome. I probably would like this one, since Dewhurst did not. We disagree on everything. But I do need to talk to you, Dewhurst, about the discussion. I think we might want to reschedule it...
ReplyDeleteActually, we don't. Never mind.
ReplyDelete