The Mysterious Stranger (Literary Classics)

by Mark Twain
The Mysterious Stranger (Literary Classics)  
published 1995 by Prometheus Books
first published 2004
binding Paperback
isbn 1573920398   (isbn13: 9781573920391)
pages 121
description The Mysterious Stranger is set in late 1500's Austria. Twain became bitter and anti-religious in his later years, and this book reflects that trend. T...more
date added
02-14-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 358)



ben
ben rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
03/20/08

bookshelves: fantasy
Read in March, 2008
This fantasy is not Mark Twain's usual writing style. I found his Satan interesting and more convincing than the average Satan character. He believed in predestination save for angelic intervention. He criticized the conscience because despite having it people behaved not better but worse than animals. In this criticism he came amusingly close to exhibiting a conscience of his own. Most of the time he could have passed for Machiavelli. Here is an excerpt.

“There has never been a just ...more
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Jill
Jill rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
03/03/08

Such a great twist on how your perception of happiness is not always what it seems. Reminds me of when people say "be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it". Vaguely reminds me of The Screwtape Letters. You'll see why when you read it. Very unusual for Mark Twain - not at all comedic relief, but as always, fantastically written.
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Thomas
Thomas rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/27/08

The darkest work Mark Twain ever wrote. It is so dark that it is often left off his list of works because people don't know what to make of this piece. It is about some boys who meed an angel, names Satan, who shows them God's true will and hand in the world. It is depressingly skeptical, amazingly funny if you have a dark sense of humor, and unbelievable altering towards how you see the world.
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Marcelo
Read in January, 2004
Excelente criação de Twain. O questionamento sobre o porquê de estarmos aqui, as injustiças e sobre um assunto que ninguém tem coragem de discutir: A existência do sobrenatural ou divino, e o que e por que tantas coisas aconteceriam pela vontade do ser metáfísico em discussão.
Não achei que o desfacho do livro estivesse a altura de todo o resto, mas foi uma opção do autor.
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Jen
Jen rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/24/08

Read in April, 2008
uuuuuhhhhhhhh . . . this book is odd. Like, interesting and thought-provoking odd, but odd nonetheless. It's very different than Twain's other works. By the end, I was thinking "there is no spoon!" I really liked it, though.
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Julie Bell
Julie rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/20/08

Read in August, 1998
Brilliantly written. The problem of evil played out. Don't be confused and read No. 44...I think that is more Twain authentic, but not as good of a read.
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Katee
Katee rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/01/08

Read in January, 2005
recommends it for: some one who wants something different from Twain
I walked home after reading this in the corner of a tea room, its a quick read, but left me bedazzled and sensitive to life around me
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Chris
Chris rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
08/25/07

recommends it for: yes
Another book that changed may have changed my outlook on life. Everyone should red this book.
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Shaun
Shaun rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/03/08

Read in January, 2007
Fantastic. READ THIS EDITION AND NOT NUMBER 23. It's much better.
Basically it's
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Tim
Tim rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
07/01/08

One of my favorites by Twain. Especially if you're into religious philosophy.
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Jennifer
Jennifer rated it: 1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars1 of 5 stars
04/24/08

I really hated this story. I prefer Twain's humor to his depressed moments.
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nathan
nathan added it
11/13/07

recommends it for: people who like bait
getting old and bitter and playful, twain is always nice
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Chandra
Chandra rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/27/08

bookshelves: classics, favorites
One of the best! Hysterical, irreverent, perfect!
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Karen
Karen added it
04/23/08

I had no idea Mark Twain could be so creepy.
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MET
MET rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
05/27/08

What is life to an immortal?
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Danielle
Danielle rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/22/08

One of my favorite stories.
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Jml067
Jml067 added it
07/01/08

My favorite book ever.
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Tom
Tom rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/06/08

another favorite!!!
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Hershi
Hershi marked it as to-read
09/18/07

bookshelves: own, to-read
 

Eric
Eric rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/03/07

bookshelves: fiction
 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 4.14 (291 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 4.16 (283 ratings)
number of reviews: 18






other editions

The Mysterious Stranger (Paperback)
The Mysterious Stranger (Hardcover)
El Forastero Misterioso / the Mysterious Stranger (Paperback)