We all know of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but these can’t have been the only two novels Mark Twain was famous for, can they? Of course not! This week, we’re featuring five of Mark Twain’s novels that have been forgotten about, though still reign supreme. These are titles that have been tremendously neglected by readers, but according to Goodreads reviews, rank higher than his bestsellers. Follow along to discover your new favorite read.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
Inspired by a dream Mark Twain had, he tells the story of 19th-century Hank Morgan in Hartford, Connecticut, who gets transported to early medieval England. Hank attempts to use his knowledge of modern technologies to his advantage to disguise himself as a magician. Ultimately, he learns that attempting to modernize the past can only lead to tragedy.
Once again, Mark Twain continues to amaze us with another remarkable novel filled with adventure, satire, and exciting history. As one Jim MacLachlan stated in his five-star review:
“I don’t know why this book doesn’t rank higher among the classics & isn’t discussed more. Twain manages to highlight more of our human & modern society’s ills & graces than any other book I’ve read.”
Jim MacLachlan, Goodreads Review
Life On The Mississippi
This novel was the sole inspiration for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and tells the story of how Mark Twain — aka Sam Clements — spent the earlier part of his life becoming a riverboat pilot and developing who he would become as a writer. Mark Twain was Sam Clemens’s pen name, based on a term boatmen would use to warn about signifying water depths. Mark Twain wrote a novel full of tales of his earlier life, what it was like to experience life on the Mississippi, and how it was to rise into the writing world.
“Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.”
Mark Twain
Joan of Arc
Not many people know that this was Mark Twain’s proudest and most remarkable accomplishment in publishing, writing, and research. He spent twelve years and several months in France researching the story until he finally felt like he was ready to tell it to the world. Although Mark Twain detested denominational religions, he was still able to write an inspiring biography that confidently shows the history that took place.
“I like Joan of Arc best of all my books; and it is the best; I know it perfectly well. And besides, it furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing. The others needed no preparation and got none.”
Mark Twain
Roughing It
Mark Twain wrote another innovative novel about his twenty-six-year-old self and how he made it through the Wild West. Traveling from Nevada to California to Hawaii, Twain tries on different roles as a civil servant, mill worker, silver prospector, reporter, and traveling lecturer, attempting to find himself in something, but alas, failing all the same. Full of fun tales and adventure of his younger life, this novel will be sure to give you a thrill of excitement.
“Sometimes, it has seemed to me that I would give worlds if I could retain my facts; but it cannot be. The more I calk up the sources, and the tighter I get, the more I leak wisdom. Therefore, I can only claim indulgence at the hands of the reader, not justification.”
Preface to Roughing It, Mark Twain (1872)
A Tramp Abroad
A Tramp Abroad is Twain’s third travel novel out of five and is considered to be the sequel to his first, The Innocents Abroad. The book is considered both an autobiography and fiction because of the character he creates named Harris, who is based off of Mark Twain’s real life best friend, Joseph Twichell.
The story takes us through central and southern Europe, where the two men vow to walk the whole of the continent but end up using other means of transport as well, as they make their way through the Alps, Germany, Italy, and more. Throughout their journey together, they enjoy each other’s company and learn to laugh through it all and enjoy the little moments. As one Jesse on Goodreads says in their five-star review:
“This is by far my favorite of Twain’s works. When you go to Europe you need this book… When you read this, you must realize that Twain is a sarcastic American debunking all of the European myth and glory.”
Jesse, Goodreads Review
Well, there you have it! These are certainly unheard of, but they are classics for sure. We hope you enjoyed this uncovering of Mark Twain’s best and hidden works. Happy reading!
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