El Forastero Misterioso / the Mysterious Stranger (El Libro De Bolsillo)
by Mark Twain
published
June 30th 2005
(first published 2004)
by Alianza Editorial Sa
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binding
Paperback, 136 pages
isbn
8420637645
(isbn13: 9788420637648)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 481)
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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Wow. I had read "Letters from the Earth" at a young age, and was shocked by Twain's blasphemy then. Later, I read it again and though it one of the funniest satires on religion ever. But "The Mysterious Stranger" is even sharper and darker. Actually, the volume I read was a survey of his short stories, including "The Celebrated Jumping Frog
of Calveras County," "The White Elephant," "The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut&quo...more
of Calveras County," "The White Elephant," "The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut&quo...more
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It is no surprise that Mark Twain shows up with a glaring five stars next to his book's title. The fact remains, Twain was perhaps one of America's premiere writers.
In The Mysterious Stranger, traditional readers of Twain will get a nuanced view of the Mississippian-river-style writer. Where we may be more familier with Twain's depiction and dialect of the south and the adventuous nature of young boys, TMS is a metaphysical exploration of the purpose of humanity.
It was almost a shock t...more
In The Mysterious Stranger, traditional readers of Twain will get a nuanced view of the Mississippian-river-style writer. Where we may be more familier with Twain's depiction and dialect of the south and the adventuous nature of young boys, TMS is a metaphysical exploration of the purpose of humanity.
It was almost a shock t...more
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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
“There has never been a just ...more
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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.
Não achei que o desfacho do livro estivesse a altura de todo o resto, mas foi uma opção do autor.
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Although in the context of his entire body of works, this novella rates lower by comparison, this is brilliant dark comedy. Unlike so many of his subtle satires, The Mysterious Stranger is blunt and without nuance, a bridge between the greatest American satirist of the nineteenth century and the greats who followed. If you are a Vonnegut or Heller fan, read this...
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Read in April, 2008
Twain gone uber-cynical. I'm usually a fan of his writing, but this book (written toward the end of his life & after a series of financial & emotional trials) culminates with a hopeless view of life. No god, no eternity, and life as nothingness. Intriguing, but sad :/
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My favorite book by Twain. This novel is so far from his early comedy. This is a darker book, and it delves pretty deep. It makes me sad to know Twain became so cynical and biting in his later years, but I am glad to led him to write books like this one.
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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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Read in January, 1999
recommended to Morgan by:
Kate Sorensen
He wasn't just about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. The Mysterious Stranger is Twain at his snakrkiest level of brutal human truth. Pick rhis up and you'll swallow it in a single sitting. That or it will swallow you.
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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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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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Mark Twain is such a good American writer. This was a little off the beaten path from his usual writings, but very good.
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recommends it for:
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Another book that changed may have changed my outlook on life. Everyone should red this book.
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One of my favorites by Twain. Especially if you're into religious philosophy.
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I really hated this story. I prefer Twain's humor to his depressed moments.
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Read in January, 2007
Fantastic. READ THIS EDITION AND NOT NUMBER 23. It's much better.
Basically it's
Basically it's
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recommends it for:
people who like bait
getting old and bitter and playful, twain is always nice
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One of the best! Hysterical, irreverent, perfect!
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