"Name that Author" Challenge: Mark Twain

Congratulations to Carissa for correctly identifying Mark Twain (accompanied by a kitten) as pictured here.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court stirred me deeply while I was in my teens. The story of an American "Yankee" who is transported to King Arthur's England and must use his good old American ingenuity and mechanical know-how to impress the natives, the book is an interesting comparison of the practical, democratic mentality of nineteenth-century America and what Twain saw as the medieval mentality. Twain was deeply anti-monarchical and anti-catholic, and his view of life in Arthur's day is grim indeed. It is almost a tract against what he saw as the tyranny of the old world. Yet his examination of human responses to suffering, technology, and defeat are broad enough to leave a teenager pondering them. I ought to read the book again and see how it strikes me as an adult.

Pictured below, we find Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) in boyhood (sans kitten):

This Week's Challenge:

Another author with pets. She wrote very charming tales for children.

The FIRST PERSON to name the author above (either in the comments or by e-mailing me) will receive a shout-out (bringing admiration from our loyal readers) next week. Include your own name as you would like it listed, and your blog/web site (if any).

"Name that Author" Challenge: Victor Hugo

Last Week's Winner

Congratulations to Heather for correctly identifying Victor Hugo, the author pictured below.

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) is celebrated in France for his poetry first, and other achievements second, but English-speaking readers known him best for Les Miserables.

What fascinates me is the messiness, yet greatness, of Les Miserables. Why is it that a story so full of interruptions, digressions, and discussions of Waterloo is still read by modern readers? Why is it that characters who behave with the romanticism of Victorians still touch the imaginations of people today? I am inclined to believe that Hugo's work is great no only because of his universal theme of law versus grace, but because of the messiness itself. Real life is untidy and confusing. Perhaps the best of literature is untidy and confusing also.

Pictured here is the French poet, author, and supporter of Republicanism with (and without) his beard. I think the beard was a good choice.

This Week's Challenge:

There are many stories in the world, and some are told through pictures.

The FIRST PERSON to name the author above (either in the comments or by e-mailing me) will receive a shout-out (bringing admiration from our loyal readers) next week. Include your own name as you would like it listed, and your blog/web site (if any).