41. Twain, Mark. Pudd'nhead Wilson. 196 pages. 4.22.09.

Anyone familiar with American slave narratives will quickly find that they have read the first 18 chapters of Twain's book, even if they have never before heard of the novel itself. While I am unsure where Pudd'nhead Wilson falls on a time line of slave narratives and African American literature, from a contemporary reader's point of view Twain's narrative is tired and uninspired. The story itself is without passion, and the narrator is largely detached from the events. Twain fails to establish an emotional base for his readers, and as such this novel comes across as a pale imitation of other accounts.

However, the final four chapters are outstanding. From chapter nineteen the "real point" of the novel comes to light, and the connection between a seemingly secondary character and the title is finally made clear. The events are widely dramatic, yet believable, and the sentiments largely missing from the rest of the book are present. While Pudd'nhead Wilson merely whimpers for the first 157 pages, it really goes out with a satisfying bang.