The Ordeal of Mark Twain

The Ordeal of Mark Twain, written by Van Wyck Brooks and published in 1920, is a literary biography that examines the complexities of Samuel Clemens, known as Mark Twain. The book focuses on Twain's later life, exploring his philosophical despair and the contradictions between his public persona as a humorist and his private struggles with existential angst. Brooks delves into Twain's character, his views on humanity, and the profound effects of personal loss and societal change on his literary voice, highlighting the internal turmoil that influenced his work.