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Is Shakespeare Dead?: From my Autobiography Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Is Shakespeare Dead? is a short, semi-autobiographical work by American humorist Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. It explores the controversy over the authorship of the Shakespearean literary canon via satire, anecdote, and extensive quotation of contemporary authors on the subject. The original publication spans only 150 pages, and the formatting leaves roughly half of each page blank. The spine is thread bound. It was published in April of 1909 by Harper & Brothers, twelve months before Mark Twain's death. In the book, Clemens clearly states his opinion that Shakespeare of Stratford was not the author of the canon, and lends tentative support to the Baconians. The book opens with a scene from his early adulthood, where he was trained to be a steamboat pilot by an elder who often argued with him over the controversy. (Quote from wikipedia.org)
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"Really enjoyed this book. Twain is supremely sarcastic and well-informed on the subject of the true authorship of Shakespeare's works. Very fun read. "
— Adam (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“One of his least well received and most misunderstood works.”
— Leslie Fiedler, award-winning literary critic -
“Twain was up to something more than flimsy literary criticism. He was using the debate over Shakespeare’s real identity to satirize prejudice, intolerance, and self-importance—in himself as well as others.... But after his passionate diatribe against the ‘Stratfordolators’ and his vigorous support of the Baconians, he cheerfully admits that both sides are built on inference. Leaving no doubt about his satirical intent, Twain then gleefully subverts his entire argument. After seeming to be a serious, even angry, combatant, he denies that he intended to convince anyone that Shakespeare was not the real author of his works.”
— Karen Lystra, author of Dangerous Intimacy: The Untold Story of Mark Twain’s Final Years -
“[An] audiobook is an enjoyable way to experience one of Twain’s last autobiographical writings.”
— Kevin McConnell, in The Mark Twain Forum
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About Mark Twain
Mark Twain (1835–1910) was born Samuel L. Clemens in the town of Florida, Missouri. He is one of the most popular and influential authors our nation has ever produced, and his keen wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers. He has been called not only the greatest humorist of his age but also the father of American literature.
About Robin Field
Robin Field is the AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator of numerous audiobooks, as well as an award-winning actor, singer, writer, and lyricist whose career has spanned six decades. He has starred on and off Broadway, headlined at Carnegie Hall, authored numerous musical reviews, and hosted or performed on a number of television and radio programs over the years.