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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A truly twisted short story about an angel making friends.
I loved how this story portrayed angelic innocence in such a unique and callous way. My favorite Mark Twain book.
I loved how this story portrayed angelic innocence in such a unique and callous way. My favorite Mark Twain book.
What a remarkable piece of writing from a man known for his subtle mind. This is an almost unknown novella, one that has been shunted off stage in favor of the luminous Huck Finn, the multifarious Roughing It and Innocents Abroad, and is considered part of Twain's "dark period" because it doesn't adhere to our expectations of his style. I'm deeply fascinated by Twain's manifold aspects as a writer, and this interesting novella illuminates one of them. Many have dismissed this nihilistic, atheistic story as the work of an emotionally exhausted and broken man, who had suffered ruinous financial losses and the death of beloved family members, one after the other. I find this dismissal deeply condescending and moralistic. In fact, Twain was a critic of religion from his earliest writings, most memorably in Huck Finn.
While The Mysterious Stranger's narrative framework is unconventional, even if fable-like, its lucid and unsparing criticism of religious belief at a time when such criticism would have been career-endangering, is frankly wonderful and profoundly emotional. Twain set this fable in fifteenth-century Austria in order to gain closer access to the most horrific aspects of inquisitorial religious authority, but it reads as if it could have happened in St. Petersburg, Missouri. (In fact, there is a "St. Petersburg" fragment associated with this book.) Some readers looking for the kind of rich, detailed setting one finds in Twain's other work will be sorely disappointed. Humor is sparse here (notable exception is the name of the town, Eseldorf, or "ass/donkey town"). As a devoted admirer of Mark Twain, I found in this novella a important pathway toward better understanding him, as well as an affirmation of some of my own core beliefs, which are rarely reflected in the literature contemporaneous with Twain.
An important last note: The copy of this novella I checked out from my library was actually the 1916 publication, which was cobbled together by Albert Bigelow Paine, who had sole possession of Twain's papers at that time. In an attempt to smooth out a piece in revision, he made some additions. Be sure to read the version found in the University of California's definitive collection of Mysterious Stranger manuscripts titled "No.44, The Mysterious Stranger."
While The Mysterious Stranger's narrative framework is unconventional, even if fable-like, its lucid and unsparing criticism of religious belief at a time when such criticism would have been career-endangering, is frankly wonderful and profoundly emotional. Twain set this fable in fifteenth-century Austria in order to gain closer access to the most horrific aspects of inquisitorial religious authority, but it reads as if it could have happened in St. Petersburg, Missouri. (In fact, there is a "St. Petersburg" fragment associated with this book.) Some readers looking for the kind of rich, detailed setting one finds in Twain's other work will be sorely disappointed. Humor is sparse here (notable exception is the name of the town, Eseldorf, or "ass/donkey town"). As a devoted admirer of Mark Twain, I found in this novella a important pathway toward better understanding him, as well as an affirmation of some of my own core beliefs, which are rarely reflected in the literature contemporaneous with Twain.
An important last note: The copy of this novella I checked out from my library was actually the 1916 publication, which was cobbled together by Albert Bigelow Paine, who had sole possession of Twain's papers at that time. In an attempt to smooth out a piece in revision, he made some additions. Be sure to read the version found in the University of California's definitive collection of Mysterious Stranger manuscripts titled "No.44, The Mysterious Stranger."
challenging
dark
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Much darker than I expected, but honestly a very thought provoking book. The collection of short stories at the end seem disjointed but besides that a fantastic read.
Great story, very entertaining and some interesting commentary. Made me remember how great of a writer the author is, and realise how influential he was to authors that came after. Pretty funny moments too, and the character of Satan (named after his rich uncle who's away working in 'the tropics') was great.
Liked the ending and the ambiguity.
Always interesting reading older narratives that are looking back in time to things like witch trials. Story felt cohesive despite apparently being put together from several unfinished manuscripts.
Liked the ending and the ambiguity.
Always interesting reading older narratives that are looking back in time to things like witch trials. Story felt cohesive despite apparently being put together from several unfinished manuscripts.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Insightful.
It's been a while since I read Mark Twain. There were three short stories at the end and, especially the one about the burglar alarm, I was reminded just how hysterically Mr. Twain is able to write. The Mysterious Stranger, a short book, presented me with much occasion to think. I highlighted a lot, wondering if the thoughts presented were Mr. Twain's own beliefs or his presentation of someone else. Regardless, it reminded me of why I believe what I believe and why I do what I do. Many people ask questions about God and Christianity, and they don't get satisfactory answers. They leave hurt or betrayed or angry. It's important to me to answer well when these questions come up, and to do so honestly. Anyway, I was thankful for a differing perspective on God, Christianity, and reality itself. It helped me think more deeply about my own faith. Maybe this book will help others do the same.
It's been a while since I read Mark Twain. There were three short stories at the end and, especially the one about the burglar alarm, I was reminded just how hysterically Mr. Twain is able to write. The Mysterious Stranger, a short book, presented me with much occasion to think. I highlighted a lot, wondering if the thoughts presented were Mr. Twain's own beliefs or his presentation of someone else. Regardless, it reminded me of why I believe what I believe and why I do what I do. Many people ask questions about God and Christianity, and they don't get satisfactory answers. They leave hurt or betrayed or angry. It's important to me to answer well when these questions come up, and to do so honestly. Anyway, I was thankful for a differing perspective on God, Christianity, and reality itself. It helped me think more deeply about my own faith. Maybe this book will help others do the same.
I enjoy Mark Twain's work and thought I would this one as well. I was wrong. It drug on and felt like a lecture instead of a story. I finished it quickly more to get it out of the way than for pleasure.
Classic. I read it long ago as part of a book of short stories, and I guess that was just a few excerpts. Great read and thought provoking about morality and what humanity is good for.