The Diaries of Adam and Eve (Literary Classics)
by Mark Twain
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to Kate by:
Bekah
I am still sorting out my feelings about this odd compilation of Twain's published writings from the perspectives of Adam, Eve, and Satan. The pieces that are actually called "Adam's Diary" and "Eve's Diary" are very funny. It was a little jarring to read the other pieces right after the diaries, because they are sort of the same thing ("Eve's Autobiography", e.g.) rather than continuations of the story told in the diaries. Some things are consistent between the &qu...more
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The Diaries of Adam and Eve is an incredible representation of both sides of Mark Twain. The cynical side that most people seem to know, as well as a softer side that has largely been kept hidden.
If Adam could get Eve to stop talking for just one minute, he could appreciate her beauty and fall in love with her. So opens this curious set of intertwined diaries of Earth's first two human inhabitants as "translated" with humor, compassion and understanding by Twain. Written on ...more
If Adam could get Eve to stop talking for just one minute, he could appreciate her beauty and fall in love with her. So opens this curious set of intertwined diaries of Earth's first two human inhabitants as "translated" with humor, compassion and understanding by Twain. Written on ...more
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Read in January, 2008
Okay, so I actually listened to this on tape on a long drive back home rather than read it, but I am actively hunting a printed copy.
I loved this. I think you will too. Twain is a genius. I am incredibly jealous of his ability after this.
The basis of the book is a collection of "diary entries" written by Adam and Eve. They're very funny in parts, since they're both trying to form an idea and theory of the world around them out of only their observations and personal understandi...more
I loved this. I think you will too. Twain is a genius. I am incredibly jealous of his ability after this.
The basis of the book is a collection of "diary entries" written by Adam and Eve. They're very funny in parts, since they're both trying to form an idea and theory of the world around them out of only their observations and personal understandi...more
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I'm not always a fan of Twain, but I just adore this book for some reason--maybe because it seems so different from his other writings. As the title suggests, it shows the story of Adam and Eve from their separate diary accounts.
Yes, there is much satire as with any of Twain's
writings, and some might say that there is overexaggeration of the differences between men and women; but I also think there is a remarkable
heartfulness shining through. And I think it shows
beautiful balance --...more
Yes, there is much satire as with any of Twain's
writings, and some might say that there is overexaggeration of the differences between men and women; but I also think there is a remarkable
heartfulness shining through. And I think it shows
beautiful balance --...more
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Read in April, 2008
Ended up reading a couple of e-text versions; am still not sure I got the whole collection... then again, considering the format, I suppose it's supposed to feel incomplete.
Not surprisingly, I identified more with Eve, who sees herself as a "grand experiment", exploring and reasoning about the new world in which she has found herself. Adam is just trying to get by - and comes off a bit of an ass at times. I particularly enjoyed his difficulty with Cain - who "was captured&qu...more
Not surprisingly, I identified more with Eve, who sees herself as a "grand experiment", exploring and reasoning about the new world in which she has found herself. Adam is just trying to get by - and comes off a bit of an ass at times. I particularly enjoyed his difficulty with Cain - who "was captured&qu...more
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone who loves gender satire
I read this one standing up in the library on summer. It's a very quick read that will make you laugh out loud a few times.
Ol' Sammy Clem. had a real gift with satire. In this book, he begins with Adam's diary, which contains rudimentary language and perception. When Eve arrives in the Garden, he is scared shit-less. He runs from her and tries to figure her out, but she is so bizzare to him. For example, Eve makes all these signs to locate where things are in the Garden - something Adam fi...more
Ol' Sammy Clem. had a real gift with satire. In this book, he begins with Adam's diary, which contains rudimentary language and perception. When Eve arrives in the Garden, he is scared shit-less. He runs from her and tries to figure her out, but she is so bizzare to him. For example, Eve makes all these signs to locate where things are in the Garden - something Adam fi...more
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Read in April, 2008
So I really liked this one but only because Twain somehow pokes fun at each gender equally.
Adam's section is really the humorous part of the book; Eve's diary is the philosophical portion of the book (although of course it has its humorous moments) adding context to Adam's self-pity.
The book is short--you can read it easily in an afternoon. Get it if you want a light-hearted view of men and women.
My favorite line is the last line of the book, probably because I am sentimental and mus...more
Adam's section is really the humorous part of the book; Eve's diary is the philosophical portion of the book (although of course it has its humorous moments) adding context to Adam's self-pity.
The book is short--you can read it easily in an afternoon. Get it if you want a light-hearted view of men and women.
My favorite line is the last line of the book, probably because I am sentimental and mus...more
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
Anyone who's ever cared about anyone else and lived to laugh again
I can't remember the last book about the differences between the sexes that made me laugh. I can't even remember the last one I finish, except this beautiful little book. Any supposed blasphemy should be eradicated by the humor and humanity in it. You can read this as a funny comparison of men and woman, as a touching testament to Twain's wife, or as an author armwrestling with his own beliefs. No writer could get as much done with so few words and such simple language and structure as Twain. A ...more
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recommended to Blakely by:
Ramsay
recommends it for: men and women
recommends it for: men and women
Insightful book. After years of diligent translation and tireless research, Mark Twain emerged with the most complete interpretation in existence of these diaries from our cousins, Adam & Eve. The diaries portray some of the most definitive events in their lives as pioneers for human development such as their creation, meeting, and exile. Twain also acquired and translated an entry of Adam's diary from only a few years ago when he lived in New York, which is as inspiring as it is heartbrea...more
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The best toilet read the 19th century has to offer. Snippet from Adam's diary:
"WEDNESDAY: Built me a shelter against the rain, but could not have it to myself in peace. The new creature [eve:] intruded. When I tred to put it out it shed water out of the holes it looks with, and wiped it away with the back of its paws, and made a noise such as some of the other animals make when they are in distress. I wish it would not talk; it is always talking..."
Though Adam's trials are play...more
"WEDNESDAY: Built me a shelter against the rain, but could not have it to myself in peace. The new creature [eve:] intruded. When I tred to put it out it shed water out of the holes it looks with, and wiped it away with the back of its paws, and made a noise such as some of the other animals make when they are in distress. I wish it would not talk; it is always talking..."
Though Adam's trials are play...more
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"کمکم فهمیدم که زندگی با حوا خارج از بهشت خیلی بهتر از زندگی بدون او در بهشت است."
میتونم بگم فوقالعادهاس. به نظرم مارک تواین با یه طنز ظریف و در عین حال ساده بهترین راه رو واسه گفتن حرفهای تکراری پیدا کرده. همون حرفهای کسلکنندهی کتابای قطور روانشناسی راجع به ...more
میتونم بگم فوقالعادهاس. به نظرم مارک تواین با یه طنز ظریف و در عین حال ساده بهترین راه رو واسه گفتن حرفهای تکراری پیدا کرده. همون حرفهای کسلکنندهی کتابای قطور روانشناسی راجع به ...more
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Read in September, 2008
recommends it for:
Twain fans
A very short and somewhat witty book. As happens a lot with Twain, the language seems very contemporary, despite being over 100 years old. Unfortunately, the contemporary in this instance translates to mediocre female/male sitcom stereotypes. There are a couple of good chuckles, and I can certainly appreciate how far-sighted it was when written, but there's not a lot of meat here. This edition does include the original illustrations which, in Adam's diary are pretty funny, and in Eve's quite...more
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recommended to Emily by:
Stumbled onto it
recommends it for: Anyone
recommends it for: Anyone
I have done the theatrical version of this book in school and it is word for word from the book. All that the adaptor David Birney did was add the stage directions but that naturally evolves from the language. A definite must for anyone who has ever been in a relationship...not so much to do with Genesis, but with the very first relationship that ever existed. A hilarious witty romantic comedy that turns to a heart warming, tear-jerking end. Very good gift for anniversaries, regardless of how lo...more
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I really liked this book about the stereotypes of men and women. What it is, is diary entrys between Adam and Eve back and forth. Mark Twain had a lot of fun with humor with ths book, and makes you laugh out loud. Eve is always talking to Adam, and he doesn't like her at first. He is a typical man wanting to survive, and Eve is a typical woman who wants company. Eventually they learn to work together, in a weird way. It's one that I'll read over and over.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2008
Wanted to write something on the book, but preferred to quote my favorite lines:
"When I found it could talk I felt a new interest in it, for I love to talk; I talk, all day, and in my sleep, too, and I am very interesting, but if I had another to talk to I could be twice as interesting, and would never stop, if desired. If this reptile is a man, it isn't an IT, is it? That wouldn't be grammatical, would it? I think it would be HE. I think so."
"When I found it could talk I felt a new interest in it, for I love to talk; I talk, all day, and in my sleep, too, and I am very interesting, but if I had another to talk to I could be twice as interesting, and would never stop, if desired. If this reptile is a man, it isn't an IT, is it? That wouldn't be grammatical, would it? I think it would be HE. I think so."
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Read in September, 2004
recommends it for:
crotchety people
This book was pretty funny, although I'm sure it would be funnier if I had ever been married. Or lived with someone for a long period of time. Or had any shot at living with a woman for any period of time. How depressing. Not one of Twain's better efforts, honestly, although the first part is pretty good. Maybe I'll give it a try once I have been married for 30 years and am fed up with life, like Mark Twain.
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
people who like to laugh
Having probably only read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as a kid, I never knew or forgot that Mark Twain was funny! Jen (sister) and I visited the Mark Twain house in March '07 (Hartford, CT) and laughed all the way through it. We both bought this one and it is funny. Part of it is told from Adam's perspective and part from Eve's. The writing style changes in funny ways between the two.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
this is a great fast read. adam's point of view is very to-the-point, but humerous and full of his aggravation at eve. however, eve's point of view is refreshing with its pure joy of life and knowledge and discovery. it's fascinating and extremely funny to see things as she does, for the first time. and especially her views of adam. the ending is fabulous as well. really good book :)
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
all lovers
This is a gift book for an anniversary, valentine's day, and/or wedding or shower. It's hilarious. Mark Twain like you never knew him. Or like me, who've never read him - finally, something I would read. ;) He LOVED his wife, who was a dear southern woman who tolerated his courseness and vulgarity. (He just worshiped her if you ever read his letters to her when he traveled.)
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Read in January, 2002
The book is in two halves: first Adam's view of creation, earth and this other being that kinda looks like him, but not as big or hairy. The second half is Eve's perspective on Adam, the earth, sky and all of her surroundings.
This a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the relationships of men and women. I chuckled throughout my reading of this very thin book.
This a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the relationships of men and women. I chuckled throughout my reading of this very thin book.
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