Quote by Mark Twain

I haven't any right to criticize books, and I don't do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticize Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can't conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Every time I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.

I haven't any right to criticize books, and I don't do it ex

Summary

This quote by Mark Twain highlights his frustration with the works of Jane Austen, particularly Pride and Prejudice. Twain reveals that he feels compelled to critique books only when he strongly dislikes them. He admits to wanting to criticize Austen's writing, but finds her books incredibly infuriating to the point where he cannot contain his anger as a reader. Twain's visceral reaction to Austen's work leads him to metaphorically express his frustration by metaphorically wanting to "beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone."

Topics

Reading Criticism Writing Austen Jerk

By Mark Twain

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