How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Twain, Mark (1835–1910).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays" by Mark Twain is a collection of essays and humorous tales written in the late 19th century. This book primarily explores the intricacies of storytelling, particularly focusing on the American humorous story and its unique characteristics compared to comic and witty storytelling from other cultures. It reflects Twain's observations and insights gained from years of experience with storytelling, providing readers with a blend of humor and valuable narrative techniques. The essays within this collection delve into various storytelling styles and techniques, highlighted by Twain's signature wit. The main essay, "How to Tell a Story," discusses the art of telling humorous stories, emphasizing the importance of the teller's delivery rather than the content itself. It contrasts humorous storytelling with comic and witty tales, illustrating his points with anecdotes, such as "The Wounded Soldier" and "The Golden Arm," which showcase the effectiveness of a slow, engaging buildup leading to a punchline. Other pieces in the collection, like "The Invalid's Story," further exemplify Twain's mastery of humor through irony and situational comedy, depicting the plight of a narrator who mistakes a box of rifles for a coffin and how his imagination spirals into an absurd series of events. Overall, the collection serves as both an exploration of storytelling and a delightful showcase of Twain's literary prowess, charming readers with its humor and insight into the human experience.
Book and edition facts
- Title: How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays
- Author credits: Twain, Mark (1835–1910)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Essays
- Short stories
- Storytelling
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: Humour
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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