Mark Twain's Letters from Hawaii

The creator of successful one-man shows in which he impersonates the beloved Mark Twain delivers a fascinating reading of letters the journalist/author dispatched to the SACRAMENTO UNION in 1866 while visiting the Sandwich Islands (now known as Hawaii). Twain's superb writing about the history of that exotic paradise and his experiences there delivers a powerful audio experience. Listeners will feel they too are discovering the geography of the islands. One can almost smell the fragrant flowers and experience the balmy breezes. This would be a lovely gift, suitable for almost anyone on any occasion--but you'll want a copy for your personal collection as well. L.C. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

January 3, 2005
Hearing Layne read Mark Twain's newspaper dispatches from Hawaii gives one the invigorating sense of visiting an exotic locale as well as a different era. Those who treat themselves to these blustery, spirited letters will experience a journey in every sense of the word. Before writing his first novel, the penniless journalist got a four-month-long gig writing about his travels in the "the loveliest fleet of islands that lie anchor in any ocean." Layne reads the letters as Twain might have, not backing down during parts that may sound questionable to modern ears (e.g., Twain's repeated congratulations to the missionaries for quashing native customs). In this thoughtfully abridged collection, one letter may rhapsodize about scenery while the next delves into death rituals for a native princess; the result is a listening experience that feels balanced, not overdone. Though few people other than lovers of Hawaii will likely tune in to these letters, those who do will never see their favorite vacation spot (or home) in quite the same way again. They will also receive a reminder of why Twain's legacy has endured. Based on the Univ. of Hawaii Press paperback.