1601 (Barnes & Noble Digital Library): Conversation As It Was by the Social Fireside in the Time of the Tudors

By Mark Twain

Not everything Twain wrote was family-friendly—least of all this hilariously bawdy sketch depicting a friendly chat on matters sexual and scatological among Queen Elizabeth, Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, and others. Privately published by William Dean Howells in an edition of only six copies, here is a side of Mark Twain largely unknown.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Release date: Jul 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781411459656

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, who was born Samuel L. Clemens in Missouri in 1835, wrote some of the most enduring works of literature in the English language, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc was his last completed book—and, by his own estimate, his best. Its acquisition by Harper & Brothers allowed Twain to stave off bankruptcy. He died in 1910. 

Reviews for 1601 (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

[harmless_dilettante · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Have you been searching for a courtly, Elizabethan dialog on farts and sex with a really broad dirty joke thrown in for good measure? Then this is the booklet you've been looking for!Otherwise... well at least it's short.

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The story itself, is entertaining. Lots of words on farts and farting. Humorous, but very brief.I ordered this on Amazon, and was very disappointed. My copy was out of order! After page 24, the page order jumps all over the place, often in a backwards order! Shoddy work.The first 27 pages of this book are background! And the last bit is about the work itself. So, there is approximately 7 pages to the tale. Do yourself a favor - find it on the internet and save your money.

[sahara20_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The introductory essay in this book is far more interesting than the story it is about.

[wildbill_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an hysterically funny little story by Mark Twain. Queen Elizabeth I is having some people over and all of a sudden there is a great noisy and smelly fart in the room. The Queen goes around the room asking who did it and finally finds the culprit who apologizes that it is so puny. At one point where no one has admitted the deed the Queen exclaims, "Hath it come that a fart shall far itself ?. There is also some sexual double entendre for a few more laughs. I still laugh out loud every time I read it.