My First Book Page #3

"My First Book" by Bret Harte is a collection of charming and whimsical stories that celebrate the adventures and challenges of life in the American West during the 19th century. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Harte captures the spirit of the era, featuring colorful characters and vivid landscapes. The book serves as a delightful introduction to Harte's narrative style and his ability to evoke the unique culture of frontier life, making it a captivating read for those interested in American literature and history.

• Short story

								

unpleasantly, in my memory the conclusion of a cheerfully scathing
review of the book which may make my meaning clearer: "If we have
said anything in this article which might cause a single pang to the
poetically sensitive nature of the youthful individual calling himself
Mr. Francis Bret Harte--but who, we believe, occasionally parts his name
and his hair in the middle--we will feel that we have not labored in
vain, and are ready to sing Nunc Dimittis, and hand in our checks. We
have no doubt of the absolutely pellucid and lacteal purity of Franky's
intentions. He means well to the Pacific Coast, and we return the
compliment. But he has strayed away from his parents and guardians while
he was too fresh. He will not keep without a little salt."

It was thirty years ago. The book and its Rabelaisian criticisms have
been long since forgotten. Alas! I fear that even the capacity for that
Gargantuan laughter which met them, in those days, exists no longer.
The names I have used are necessarily fictitious, but where I have been
obliged to quote the criticisms from memory I have, I believe, only
softened their asperity. I do not know that this story has any moral.
The criticisms here recorded never hurt a reputation nor repressed a
single honest aspiration. A few contributors to the volume, who were
of original merit, have made their mark, independently of it or its
critics. The editor, who was for two months the most abused man on the
Pacific slope, within the year became the editor of its first successful
magazine. Even the publisher prospered, and died respected!
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes