The Mark Twain Forum needs a reviewer for the following book: Florence, Don. _Persona and Humor in Mark Twain's Early Writings_. Columbia and London: University of Missouri Press, 1995. Pp. 166. Cloth, 6" x 9". Notes, bibliography, index. $34.95. ISBN 0-8262-1025-2. The jacket reads thus: "Better than anybody else Florence identifies and articulates the dynamic, willful, spontaneous, and protean qualities of Twain's humor. . . . Brilliantly and eloquently this book drives to the heart of Twain's genius. Though directly concerned with his writing only until 1872, it helps us to understand and grasp appreciatively the Twain phenomenon at any point or text in his career."--Louis J. Budd In _Persona and Humor in Mark Twain's Early Writings_, Don Florence explains that Samuel Clemens did more than use the borrowed name of Mark Twain to sign his writings. He also developed a separate identity, or persona, becoming "a literary personality in his own right." Challenging mainstream Twain criticism on many fronts, Florence focuses exclusively on Twain's early writings. He demonstrates how Twain evolved in his early narratives into the "Mark Twain" we now recognize. Florence maintains that this process was evolutionary: Although Twain might have been dependent on Clemens for the initial experiences, they _become_ Twain's experiences, necessary for his development as a persona. Traditionally, critics of Twain have been preoccupied with dualities, but Florence sees this emphasis upon polarities as an oversimplification. He argues that much of Twain's humor strives to shape more and more of the world, giving Twain multiple narrative voices and letting him be inclusive, not exclusive. Finally, this study asserts that there is more continuity to Mark Twain's career than has been generally recognized. Many Twain scholars have argued that Twain's later writings are radically different from his earlier writings because of their emphasis upon illusion and dream. Florence argues that the preoccupation with illusion and fantasy is scarcely new. Whether Twain's mood is exuberant or dark, he emphasizes subjectivity over objectivity, the dominance of fantasy, the creative powers of humor, and his ability as persona to determine what we consider "reality." Florence contends that Twain's early writings show Mark Twain gradually evolving into a masterfully comic persona. Jargon-free and eloquently written, _Persona and Humor in Mark Twain's Early Writings_ provides a fascinating look at Mark Twain's developing genius and will be a welcome addition to Twain literature. About the Author: Don Florence holds a Ph.D. in English and lives in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where he is working on a study of Twain's middle writings. As usual, the review must be of publishable quality, and it would be due within two months of your receipt of the book (i.e., near the end of February 1996). The deadline is particularly important; if you are inclined to procrastinate, please don't offer to review the book. If you're interested in writing this review, please send me both your home and institutional mailing addresses and phone numbers. If I don't already know you, it would be helpful for you to explain in what respect you're qualified to write this review. (If we haven't exchanged e-mail recently, it might be a good idea for you to remind me of this info.) I look forward to hearing from you. Taylor Roberts Coordinator, Mark Twain Forum