Recently Read: The Diaries of Adam and Eve: Translated by Mark Twain by Mark Twain

The Diaries of Adam and Eve: Translated by Mark Twain by Mark Twain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

SRP Why Bite:

(A note of explanation: SRP = San Bernardino County Library Summer Reading Program; Why Bite = On the SRP Book Review bookmark, they ask why you would or would not recommend this book.)

Clever and witty interpretation of what life must have been like for the first couple, this book gives humorous insight into relationships and natural human curiosity.

I picked this book up on a lark at the library the day I joined the summer reading program on an impulse. I’d never heard of the diaries, much less their history. I have read the typical Twain titles required for high school courses and a college degree in English literature, but have not read much Mark Twain for pleasure. I only have a passing knowledge of Samuel Clemens, and quite honestly know more about his characterization in episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” I must say that I found The Diaries of Adam & Eve to be quite enjoyable.

In today’s climate, I imagine this relatively recently (1997) published version that combines works previously published separately during Clemens’ lifetime has met with some skepticism and resistance. In the mind of a fundamentalist Christian, I imagine this is nothing short of blasphemy. After all, it draws attention to, and certainly shines a spotlight on, the problems that arise with literal interpretations of the tale of Adam and Eve. However, I do not have such hang-ups in regards to my faith, so I rather relished this humorous treatment of what life must have been like for the first of all humans, from which we are supposedly all descended. I enjoyed the way Clemens pokes fun at some of the more silly aspects of the Biblical story. I recommend the reader take the time to read the Afterward. It provides insight into the development of The Diaries, such as the juicy tidbit that Clemens modeled Adam after himself, including the trademark laziness and penchant to “superintend” while Eve does most of the work, and based Eve on his beloved Livy shortly after her untimely death. In fact, this work is unique as it is the only time Clemens wrote from a woman’s point of view, and serves as a tribute to his wife, in a way her eulogy.

“Wheresoever she was; there was Eden.” (p. 109)

Although they had been cohabitating for quite a while, Adam and Eve did not comprehend love until after the fall. After all, it was the tree of knowledge of both good and evil. Nothing died before the fall. There was no true sorrow. Likewise, there was no true love. It wasn’t until they “lost their property” that they actually grew to need each other. Throughout the work, Clemens answers questions about their experience and relationship that it never occurred to us to ask. It provides a witty commentary on relationships and gender stereotypes in only the way Clemens can provide. Yet it is not limited to this topic. In the short passages, Clemens also beautifully illustrates with clever foolishness of error the natural curiosity of humankind and its search for knowledge. Most of this work is actually the documentation of the silly hypotheses made by the couple and the records of their “experiments.” In his unique fashion, Clemens humorously depicts the truth that all humans are essentially scientists at heart. What better way to illustrate this than by chronicling the exploits of the first two humans to walk the earth, describing their thoughts, assumptions, and discoveries as they see, hear, and touch everything for the first time. For those who hold the belief that science is incompatible with religious belief, this may also seem blasphemous.

“It is best to prove things by actual experiment. Then you know; whereas if you depend on guessing and supposing and conjecturing, you will never get educated.
Some things you can’t find out, but you will never know you can’t by guessing and supposing. No, you have to be patient and go on experimenting until you find out that you can’t find out. And it is delightful to have it that way; it makes the world so interesting. If there wasn’t anything to find out, it would be dull. Even trying to find out and not finding out is just as interesting as trying to find out and finding out, and I don’t know but more so.” (p. 48)

“At last he came, but he did not think it was a child. He meant well and was dear and lovely, but he was scientist first and man afterward – it was his nature – and he could accept nothing until it was scientifically proven.” (p. 75-6)

All in all, this was a fun, short read, full of witty insights and has a bit of fun at the expense of the age old tale of Adam and Eve. Anyone with a sense of humor and openness of mind will enjoy it.



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