My Mark Twain (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)

In a bustling Boston office above the famed Ticknor & Fields shop, a young literary critic first encounters the man who would become a legend. The memoir captures the vivid first impression of a flamboyant figure in a sealskin coat, his fiery hair and mischievous smile, and the instant spark of a friendship that would span decades. Through warm, observant prose, the author paints a portrait of a writer whose bold language and playful antics were as striking as his wardrobe.

The narrative then opens a window onto the lively salons of the era, where Twain mingles with fellow authors, editors, and the ever‑charismatic Ralph Keeler. Their conversations overflow with wit, good‑natured ribbing, and the kind of spontaneous humor that defined Twain’s spirit. Readers are treated to a glimpse of the literary world that shaped America’s humorist, all told with the gentle reverence of a lifelong confidant.