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Foreign Affairs

KoKo

(84,711 posts)

13. Vidal's cynical wit was not of the same experience as Twain for sure!

Reply to bemildred (Reply #11)

Mon Apr 4, 2016, 10:55 PM

Apr 2016

Such different backgrounds.....but, the closest thing that came to my mind for cynical entertaining wit who carried to later life. But, of the two, probably Twain, for his time, expressed early America the best for his life experience..although Vidal had that connection to history in his writings in his own time about the past.

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The Easter Rising, my grandfather and the untold story of Sir Roger Casement [View all] Jefferson23 Apr 2016 OP

As with most of ....largely whitewashed and/or hidden.... Irish history, Smarmie Doofus Apr 2016 #1

Indeed, my friend. n/t Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #2

Thanks for that. bemildred Apr 2016 #3

Your fathers age, that would be some time ago, correct? Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #4

Oh yes, Twain was. That's not the part of his career they like to talk about now. bemildred Apr 2016 #5

Fascinating, thank you. Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #6

I was very interested in him in my youth, he was formative for me, so I know a good deal. bemildred Apr 2016 #7

Yea, well if you're not anti-imperialism, you're never going to bring up Twain..true. Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #8

He was. nt bemildred Apr 2016 #9

"Huckleberry Finn" and "Life on the Mississippi". KoKo Apr 2016 #12

My wife is a lit major, I had the impression they'd gotten over that somewhat. bemildred Apr 2016 #14

Huck Finn was difficult for me, also. Faulkner told it as it was...at the time... KoKo Apr 2016 #18

James Branch Cabell? bemildred Apr 2016 #19

Was not familiar with him...but, he was definitely interesting... KoKo Apr 2016 #20

Mark Twain...in his later years reminds me of Gore Vidal in KoKo Apr 2016 #10

I've always compared Twain to Ambrose Bierce. bemildred Apr 2016 #11

Vidal's cynical wit was not of the same experience as Twain for sure! KoKo Apr 2016 #13

They were alll three cynical, Twain, Bierce, Vidal, which has much to do with why I like them. bemildred Apr 2016 #16

Fascinating...Thanks for post about your family history... KoKo Apr 2016 #15

I don't usually talk about that. bemildred Apr 2016 #17

Good morning, Koko and you're welcome but its Patrick Cockburns family history, not mine. Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #21

Yes! I caught that later that it was Cockburn's history and not yours... KoKo Apr 2016 #22

It was a good read, yep. Jefferson23 Apr 2016 #23