Mark Twain's Letters from Hawaii (Pacific Classics)

This is the audiobook edition of a collection of dispatches that Mark Twain wrote, as a newspaper correspondent, to the Sacramento Daily Union in 1866 during his 7-month sojourn in Hawaii. Mark Twain impressionist McAvoy Layne very ably does the reading for the audiobook edition, bringing Mark Twain's written narrative to life. Letters from Hawaii provides a fascinating look at 19th century Hawaii -- the people, royalty, customs, culture, neighborhoods, infrastructure, commerce, government, volcanos, valleys, beaches, sea -- as well as a sprinkling of Mark Twain's inimitable humor. History buffs and Hawaiiana buffs will find Twain's first-hand, boots-on-the-ground observations of 19th century Hawaii uniquely satisfying. I found almost every dispatch riveting. One that comes to mind now as I write this mini review is Mark Twain's account of his visit to the active volcano, Kilauea, on the Big Island, which he viewed both during the daytime and at night. In addition to Twain's powerful visual imagery describing the lava flows, he also interestingly describes the sounds of the volcano. "It makes three distinct sounds - a rushing, a hissing, and a coughing or puffing sound; and if you stand on the brink and close your eyes it is no trick at all to imagine that you are sweeping down a river on a large low pressure steamer, and that you hear the hissing of the steam about her boilers, the puffing from her escape pipes and the churning rush of the water abaft her wheels. The smell of sulfur is strong, but not unpleasant to a sinner." Whether you are a Mark Twain buff, history buff, travel story buff, kama'aina or a malihini, chances are you will find this book enjoyable.

I'm a "late" college graduate who completed my English degree in 2010 during my 70th year of life. I read this rendition of Twain's reaction to 1866 Hawaii for a class in Hawaiiana. Being born and raised an "island girl" I was eager to see if he would capture the sensitivity and lifestyle of the Hawaiian people as he had with his "on spot" descriptions of characters in his many other writings. I was not disappointed. You see, living on an island dictates a particular way to live for its citizens having the major land mass 2,500 miles away. Your word is good as gold, your share with each other and do not rape precious resources (fish, seaweed, land), color of your skin means nothing except for the goodness in your heart. Being humble, tolerant, gracious, and respectful is what is needed when you live in the close confines of an island. In1866 Twain with his senitive awareness recognized this and writes beautifully about it. I have sent Mark Twain's Letters from Hawaii to several of my mainland friends and am sure there will be more sent in the future.

I moved from the Big Island a year ago and finally had an opportunity to read Twain's letters (after finishing Roughing It). The timing was actually fortuitous- I appreciated his experience in the islands after having had my own; his informed mine beyond what I could have gained and Twain is Always a fun read.

I had read this years ago, but now with an upcoming trip to Hawaii on the horizon, I wanted to re-experience the Sandwich Islands as only Mark Twain can portray. Recommended reading to any Twain fan.

Written in 1866, at the front end of his career, these letters provide a nice overview of Twain's talents. There are the obligatory humorous stories, but there are also perceptive descriptions of the Hawaian economy that foreshadow "Life on the Mississippi," itself a precursor of "Huckleberry Finn." Other letters deal with the Hawaiian scenery at the time and its mode of government, in most ways similar to state politics in California. If you're planning on a trip to Hawaii, especially to Oahu, reading this book will enrich your visit. Even if you're not, you'll have the pleasure of viewing a fine mind at work.

What is it about the Hawaiian Islands that is so profoundly affecting? Twain was the ultimate skeptic, yet the Islands won him over in a minute. This collection of newspaper columns tells us why, and it is story that remains relevant to Island visitors and lucky residents. Twain was as well travelled as anyone of his day, and had no trouble identifying Hawaii as not just a pleasant place, but a unique place on earth. He hoped to live out his days on the Islands, but never made it back. Modern travellers sometimes wonder about the attractions of the Islands versus other places with warm climates. No one has explained it better than Twain.

It was interesting after just being there to read what he had to say about the islands in the 1900's and especially with his wit.,

Bought this for a fellow Mark Twain fan. First time I read it was on the Big Island as my intro to Hawaiian history back in the early 80's. Still go back to read favorite parts.

現状入手できる『ハワイ通信』は、19世紀末当時のハワイをマーク・トウェインの目を通してみたという貴重な資料ではあるけれど、やはりこれは原語で読みたい。英語自体も読みやすいので、和訳を読んで物足りなければぜひお勧めします。

Mark Twain ist natürlich ein Klassiker. Bisher wusste ich nicht, dass er auch in Hawaii sein Unwesen getrieben hat, bis ich auf eine Erwähnung dieses Büchleins stieß. Da ich Hawaii kenne und liebe, habe ich es natürlich sofort bestellt. Die Teile, in denen tatsächlich das Leben in Hawaii im 19, Jahrhundert beschrieben wird, sind interessant und amüsant. Es muss ein wahres, ländliches Paradies gewesen sein. Allerdings berichtet der Autor ausführlicher von der Überfahrt (die natürlich damals lange dauerte) und das fand ich nicht so spannend. Wer Mark Twain und die etwas umständliche Erzählweise seiner Zeit liebt, wird aber begeistert sein!