A Tramp Abroad

No cover

Mark Twain: A Tramp Abroad (1910, Musson Book Co.)

338 pages

English language

Published Nov. 20, 1910 by Musson Book Co..

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3 stars (1 review)

50 editions

reviewed A tramp abroad by Mark Twain (Modern Library classics)

An odd mix of styles

3 stars

A Tramp Abroad is my first 'factual' Mark Twain book and I'm not completely sure how I feel about it. Initially difficult to get into, the first few chapters are an odd blend of observations, hearsay, retelling of local myths and flannel. Once the style settles down, I thought the book flowed more but it's still quite hit and miss - a bit like watching a Monty Python episode. There are very funny anecdotes that are probably greatly exaggerated or mostly made up but with satirical grains of truth that I enjoyed. These are entertaining to read and raised a chuckle. However they are interspersed with other passages that are either bizarrely odd or simply dull. A mountain climbing expedition is so overegged that it becomes boring, but an American trying to strike up conversation on a boat trip made me giggle. For a foot tour of Europe, Twain only …