The word "imagining" is used to describe these little fictional pieces, all
based on historical figures and events, but they are not represented by
Oates to be accurate historical narratives, or traditional "historical
fiction."  Fair enough, but I have to wonder what is the point of basing an
"imagining" or "fiction" or "what-if" or "whatever" on an historical figure
if you are not going to somehow reflect, explore, spoof, or even invert the
essential character upon which you based your work? My impression was that
Oates did not know enough about Twain's character to do any of those things
even if that's what she intended.

I guess if she'd read Ham Hill, and the recent books by Karen Lystra, Ron
Powers, Tom Quirk, John Cooley's book on the angelfish, and Barb Schmidt's
online article on the angelfish, Oates might have had a dandy story to tell
indeed.

Now I've gone and used "indeed" at the end of a sentence. I must stop. Do
tell.

Kevin Mac Donnell
Austin TX