Ever since I found a copy of The Complete Essays of Mark Twain in my parents' basement, I have been intrigued to read it... I can't say that I had ever read anything by him with the exception of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but he is one of those Americans that it just seems like we should know about... (Actually he has some quote where he says that he is not 'an' American, he says that he is 'the' American.)
It was enlightening. I guess part of me thought that it would just be this big joke book, but it was so much more than that. There are numerous essays that don't have a single lick of humor in it... nevertheless his wit, intellect and astute observations carry you through. It is a pretty hefty read, though. I am a slow reader, but it took me since before Christmas or so to complete (reading only an article or two per night). Some of my favorite articles dealt with Shakespeare, religion, taxes, health spas in Europe and traveling down the Rhone river. Maybe if you have time (and energy) you can check it out...
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