Dangerous Intimacy: Mark Twain's Final Years

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Summary: Mark Twain's moral reckoning
Review: This is a fascinating, well written and painstakingly researched book. Finally, a book on our friend Mark Twain that tackles new terrain. It reads like an exciting, suspenseful mystery. Lystra sifts through all the evidence surrounding Twain's last years and his tangled relations with his secretary, Isabel Lyon and his daughters, Clara and Jean. It is sad to read about Twain, the
widower, hungry for love and a real home, succumbing to the flattery and duplicity of his unscrupulous secretary. She schemed to marry him and seperate him from his daughters. She almost succeeded. Plainly, he never would have married her. His unwavering love for his late wife stopped that folly. But she did manage to build a wedge between him and his daughters. Twain was manipulated and lied to and encouraged to give in to his worst weaknesses. This led to his sad betrayal of his epileptic daughter, Jean. It is interesting to compare his wife Olivia with Isabel Lyon. His wife had a powerful strength that belied her often frail health. It is obvious that she brought out many of his best qualities. She was a true helpmate and companion to him. She expected him to live up to his moral and familial responsibilites. She kept him centered and clear thinking - no easy task! Without her as his emotional and moral anchor - he gave in to human weakness and selfishness. Yet, it is inspiring and uplifting to witness him looking deep within himself and unflinchingly recognizing his character faults and their terrible consequences. It is a truly courageous act. He makes amends to his daughter , who he really does love and who loves him. Father and daughter experience happiness during their final days together. You come away from their story with admiration for both of them.