51 pages • 1 hour read
Mark TwainRoughing It
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1872A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Roughing It by Mark Twain recounts his adventures during the Nevada silver rush of the 1860s. Twain joins his brother on a stagecoach journey from Missouri to Nevada, seeking fortune in mining but failing, and eventually finding success as a newspaper reporter. His travels extend to California and Hawaii, where further failures and experiences ultimately lead him to a successful career in lecturing. The book contains content discussing racism, anti-Indigenous attitudes, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mark Twain's Roughing It is celebrated for its vivid depiction of the American West and Twain's signature humor. Critics praise its detailed descriptions and entertaining anecdotes, though some find its episodic structure disjointed. Overall, the work is seen as a valuable historical account and an enjoyable read despite occasional lapses in narrative coherence.
Who Should Read Roughing It?
A reader who relishes adventure, humor, and historical insights would enjoy Mark Twain's Roughing It. Fans of travel narratives like Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer or humorous works such as A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson will appreciate Twain's witty reflections on his journey through the American West. This reader enjoys explorations of 19th-century frontier life through a comedic lens.
RecommendedReading Age
16+yearsBook Details
Classic Fiction
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Travel Literature
Natural World: Environment
Society: Immigration
Society: Colonialism
History: World