The Wayward Tourist
Mark Twain's Adventures in Australia
Introduction by Don Watson
'The air was balmy and delicious, the sunshine radiant; it was a charming excursion.
Awards
2007 APA Book Design Awards Shortlist: Best Designed Non-fiction book (text)
Opinion
"Painting a backdrop of literary America in the latter half of the 19th century, Watson
aligns himself with Twain against the literary brahmins back home who never accepted
him or his work. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book." Adair Jones, Courier Mail, 25/11/2006
'Hilarious stories, dazzling descriptions of flora and fauna and liberal slices of "picturesque history". That you can read it in one sitting shouldn't put you off, as you'll undoubtedly want to read it again.' Richard King, Sydney Morning Herald, 11/11/06
About this Title
'The air was balmy and delicious, the sunshine radiant; it was a charming excursion. In the course of it we came to a town whose odd name was famous all over the world a quarter of a century ago--Wagga-Wagga.'--Mark Twain
At the height of his fame, Mark Twain, the writer and humorist from Missouri, was facing financial ruin from one of his failed business ventures. Broke but much loved he embarked on a lecture tour around the equator, making a stop in Australia.
The Wayward Tourist republishes Mark Twain's Australian travel writing in which he recounts impressions of Sydney ('God made the Harbor . . . but Satan made Sydney') and his view of Australian history ('[it reads] like the most beautiful lies').
In his introduction, Don Watson brilliantly animates this unforgettable encounter between Mark Twain and Australia. He pays homage to America's great 'funny man' who brought his American swagger, love of language and wicked talent for observation to our shores.
In a life full of incident, Mark Twain's moment in Australia is wonderful entertainment.
About the Author
Mark Twain, America's great humorist and writer, is author of classics such as Tom Swayer and Huckleberry Finn. He is quite possibly the man who kicked off American tourism with his satire of American travellers with his book Innocents Abroad. The Wayward Tourist republishes edited extracts about Twain's travels around Australia from his book Following the Equator.
Don Watson is the author of several books including the bestsellers, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: A Portrait of Paul Keating PM, Death Sentence and Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words. In addition to books and essays, he writes films and gives occasional talks on writing and language.
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