“Jap Herron” is a controversial book attributed to Mark Twain, the renowned American author known for classics like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The story behind “Jap Herron” is as intriguing as the book itself. In the early 20th century, a medium named Emily Grant Hutchings claimed to have communicated with Twain’s spirit after his death in 1910. Hutchings said that the novel was dictated to her and medium Lola Hays from beyond the grave by the deceased Twain through use of a Ouija board.
The book purportedly continues the story of Huckleberry Finn, with Huck reconnecting with Tom Sawyer and embarking on new adventures. However, controversy surrounds its authenticity, with many scholars and Twain enthusiasts skeptical of its origins. Critics argue that the writing style and content differ significantly from Twain’s known works,
suggesting that Hutchings may have penned the book herself, drawing inspiration from Twain’s legacy. Despite the skepticism, “Jap Herron” has attracted attention for its curious narrative and the circumstances of its creation. The novel rose to fame when The New York Times ran a review of the book on September 9, 1917. Due to the popularity of Ouija boards at the time, many Americans purchased the book and accepted Hutchings’ claims at face value. Some readers find value in it as a curiosity or as an exploration of spiritualism and the afterlife.
The story itself, a long novelette, is scened in a Missouri town and tells how a lad born to poverty and shiftlessness, by the help of a fine-souled and high-minded man and woman, grew into a noble and useful manhood and helped to regenerate his town. There is evident a rather striking knowledge of the conditions of life and the peculiarities of character in a Missouri town, the dialect is true, and the picture has, in general, many features that will seem familiar to those who know their “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn.” A country paper fills an important place in the tale, and there is constant proof of familiarity with the life and work of the editor of such a sheet. The humor impresses as a feeble attempt at imitation and, while there is now and then a strong sure touch of pathos or a swift and true revelation of human nature, the “sob stuff” that oozes through many of the scenes, and the overdrawn emotions are too much for credulity. If this is the best that “Mark Twain” can do by reaching across the barrier, the army of admirers that his works have won for him will all hope that he will hereafter respect that boundary.
Others see it as a testament to Twain’s enduring influence and the fascination with his work even after his death. The debate over “Jap Herron” underscores the complexities of authorship, legacy, and the boundaries between creativity and belief. Whether viewed as a literary oddity or a supernatural communication, the book remains a curious footnote in the history of American literature. The publication of “Jap Herron” also sparked a significant copyright lawsuit.
Clara Gabrilowitsch, Twain’s daughter, took legal action against the publishers, Clara Clemens Gabrilowitsch and Jacques Samossoud, who were also her stepmother and half-brother, respectively. Clara Gabrilowitsch claimed that “Jap Herron” infringed upon the copyright of her father’s works and that the purported spiritual communication with Twain was fraudulent. The lawsuit brought attention to the dubious origins of “Jap Herron” and raised questions about the legitimacy of works attributed to deceased authors through spiritualism or mediumship.
Legal proceedings dragged on for several years, highlighting the complexities of intellectual property rights in cases involving posthumous works and disputed authorship. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of Clara Gabrilowitsch, affirming that “Jap Herron” infringed upon Twain’s copyright. The decision reinforced the importance of protecting authors’ intellectual property rights and underscored the challenges of verifying the authenticity of works claimed to be authored by deceased individuals through unconventional means.
The copyright lawsuit surrounding “Jap Herron” serves as a cautionary tale about the risks and legal consequences associated with publishing disputed or questionable works attributed to renowned authors, particularly in cases involving claims of spiritual or supernatural communication.
Further Reading
Sources
- Amusing Planet “Jap Herron: A Novel Mark Twain Wrote After His Death” https://www.amusingplanet.com/2019/07/jap-herron-novel-mark-twain-wrote-after.html
- Wikipedia “Clara Clemens” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Clemens
- Wikipedia “Jap Herron” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap_Herron
- Wikipedia “Mark Twain” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain
- The Public Domain Review “Jap Herron: A Novel written from the Ouija Board (1917)” https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/jap-herron-a-novel-written-from-the-ouija-board-1917/
- Twain Quotes “JAP HERRON” http://www.twainquotes.com/19170909.html
