Fellow Twainiacs:

I'm currently working on a story best decribed as a cultural
re-assessment of SLC in light of Shelley Fisher Fishkin's
LIGHTING OUT FOR THE TERRITORY vis-a-vis Andrew
Hoffman's INVENTING MARK TWAIN.

It's essentially a review of both books and what each of them, in my
opinion as a social observer and journalist, does. Shelley uses the
present to shine new light on Clemens' efforts to expose racism,
while Hoffman tries to reassess the past  with distinctly
contemporary attitudes towards celebrity, literatures and
character.

If any of you have also read both books and have some comments to
offer, I'd be lighted to hear from you.

Thank you

Kathy O'Connell
Hartford Advocate