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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mark Twain wrote a truthful but exaggerated book about Tom Sawyer.
In plain terms
The book was mostly true with some stretching.
What can you take from it?
Memoirs often mix truth and exaggeration.

Where it applies

  • reading
  • author introspection

Putting it to work

  • expect embellishment in memoirs
  • enjoy the story regardless

Questions to consider

  • How much truth is needed in a good story?

Another view

Truth in fiction is subjective.

More from Mark Twain

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