I was happy to see John Bird get the recognition that he got, but it wasn't the recognition that he deserved. There was no mention that he wrote a far superior ending to the story consistent with Twain's plot, characters, and themes. There was no mention of exactly how Random House/Doubleday co-opted (a much politer word than they deserve) the project in a mad scramble to exploit Mark Twain's name and foist off on an unsuspecting public a work by the Steads. I have no problem with the Steads; they were just following orders. But did anybody give them orders to toss Twain's themes out the window and pretend that making Johnny black was the only change they made that matters? I must also admit, sadly, that I'm disappointed by those who are willing to profit by all of this. Those who object are dismissed as "purists"--the word actually used in the report. This brings me back to the conclusion of my review: some readers will find the story charming, but it isn't Mark Twain doing the charming. Using Twain's name to sell this book is execrable (to borrow a favorite word of Twain's). Twainians are grateful that Twain did not follow the custom of so many authors and destroy his unpublished manuscripts, but if you have ever wondered why so many authors do so, you need look no further than this vulgar breach of literary ethics. This is not a Twain't; it's just a twaint. Kevin @ Mac Donnell Rare Books 9307 Glenlake Drive Austin TX 78730 512-345-4139 Member: ABAA, ILAB ************************* You may browse our books at: www.macdonnellrarebooks.com -----Original Message----- From: Barbara Schmidt Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2017 9:44 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Piece on Mark Twain Fairy Tale Tomorrow I think this is a case of a publisher pushing Mark Twain's name off on an unsuspecting public. As Kevin Mac Donnell would call it -- the present fairy tale is a "Twain't." I think there is a lot more to the "oleomargarine" connection and its influence on Twain's later works. I am looking forward to John Bird's scholarly interpretation along with the publication of the full manuscript. Barb