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Thursday, March 15. 2007

Mark Twain on James Fenimore Cooper

I would never criticize an author, because producing a work of fiction that anyone will pay money to read is an astonishing achievement.

Cooper was prolific as hell, but all I have read is The Last of the Mohicans - a long time ago.

Mark Twain, of course, has the bona fides to critique a fellow author. I have heard of his famous humorous and devilish critique of Cooper ("Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses"), but never read it until Right Wing Nation posted it today.

It's a powerful manual on what not to do in fiction writing. Thanks, RWN.

Posted by Bird Dog in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 13:42 | Comments (16) | Trackbacks (0)

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Hilarious--esp #s 5 and 7 (of Twain's eleven violations).
#1 buddy larsen on 2007-03-15 15:19 (Reply)
I read "The Deerslayer" and never picked up another book by Cooper.

Twain's critique is devestating. His suggestion to rename the series the "Broken Twig Series" is perfect.
#2 NJSoldier on 2007-03-15 15:27 (Reply)
If you want good historical Yankee fiction, read "Arundel" and "Rabble in Arms" by Kenneth Roberts. I enjoyed them to immensely in my youth.
#3 NJSoldier on 2007-03-15 15:31 (Reply)
Not to be a cultural barbarian, but I loved the movie of "The Last of the Mohicans". Some people just write books dying to be made into movies....I could relate to the character of the Brit, rejected but sacrificing himself to save the life of the one he loved...No guffaws, please. It's entertainment...
#4 retriever on 2007-03-15 16:46 (Reply)
You know, I think Twain would have looked better bald. Look at the photo and imagine a shaved head, isn't that better?
#5 chuck on 2007-03-15 16:57 (Reply)
So, chuck, the rogaine didn't help, eh?
#6 buddy larsen on 2007-03-15 17:22 (Reply)
retriever, one of my top ten all-time great films--the sound track is sublime, and the overwhelming landscape made the human story very human indeed. anybody who rents the DVD is for a pleasant surprise.
#7 buddy larsen on 2007-03-15 17:28 (Reply)
I liked the movie too. Obviously the book had to be better, right. I mean the book is always better. I found "The Last of the Mohicans" to be unreadable.
#8 Mike Baird on 2007-03-15 17:41 (Reply)
I am getting the message that I should see the movie. As a general rule, I avoid movies, but might make an exception.
#9 BD on 2007-03-15 18:31 (Reply)
I'm amazed at how many writers have not read Twain's essay. It was required reading 30+ years ago in vocational students in high school.
#10 walt moffett on 2007-03-15 18:43 (Reply)
BD, I'll send you an authentic US Treasury $5 bill if you don't enjoy the dickens out of it. The flintlock riflery on display, alone, is worth the effort.
#11 buddy larsen on 2007-03-15 19:01 (Reply)
It's a deal. My limit is 2 movies/year, so it had better be good. Lots of slapstick comedy, right?
#12 BD on 2007-03-15 19:06 (Reply)
Hot guys, gorgeous girls, evil bad guy, brutal savages,great soundtrack, doomed love, brave battles, a good time for all
#13 retriever on 2007-03-15 19:48 (Reply)
I was trying to find that scenery--turns out upstate New York is in North Carolina!

http://www.chimneyrockpark.com/faq/answers.php?SID=8
#14 buddy larsen on 2007-03-15 21:39 (Reply)
The old guy with the spiked club was bad ass.
#15 NJSoldier on 2007-03-16 08:16 (Reply)
I've been to Chimney Rock many times.
#16 rightwingprof (Link) on 2007-03-16 11:32 (Reply)

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