Publisher Description
"The Mysterious Stranger & Other Stories" is a collection of tales by Mark Twain, showcasing his masterful storytelling and his exploration of complex themes. The title story, "The Mysterious Stranger," revolves around a supernatural visitor named Satan, who brings unsettling revelations to a group of boys in a small Austrian village. Through the stranger's dialogues and actions, Twain delves into deep philosophical questions about human nature, morality, and the illusions of reality, presenting a bleak yet thought-provoking view of the human condition. The narrative's blend of dark humor and existential inquiry reflects Twain's mature literary style, marking a departure from his earlier, more light-hearted works.
The other stories in the collection, including "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg," further illustrate Twain's versatility and keen insight into human behavior. "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" is a humorous tale that captures the essence of American frontier life, showcasing Twain's talent for dialect and regional storytelling. On the other hand, "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg" is a satirical exploration of greed and hypocrisy in a self-righteous town, highlighting Twain's critical view of societal norms and the inherent flaws in human character. Together, these stories offer a rich tapestry of Twain's literary prowess, blending humor, satire, and profound philosophical musings.
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About Mark Twain
Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel L. Clemens (1835–1910), was born in Florida, Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal on the west bank of the Mississippi River. He attended school briefly and then at age thirteen became a full-time apprentice to a local printer. When his older brother Orion established the Hannibal Journal, Samuel became a compositor for that paper and then, for a time, an itinerant printer. With a commission to write comic travel letters, he traveled down the Mississippi. Smitten with the riverboat life, he signed on as an apprentice to a steamboat pilot. After 1859, he became a licensed pilot, but two years later the Civil War put an end to the steam-boat traffic.
In 1861, he and his brother traveled to the Nevada Territory where Samuel became a writer for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, and there, on February 3, 1863, he signed a humorous account with the pseudonym Mark Twain. The name was a river man’s term for water “two fathoms deep” and thus just barely safe for navigation.
In 1870 Twain married and moved with his wife to Hartford, Connecticut. He became a highly successful lecturer in the United States and England, and he continued to write.
About Geoffrey Giuliano
Geoffrey Giuliano is the author of over twenty internationally bestselling biographies, including the London Sunday Times bestseller Blackbird: The Life and Times of Paul McCartney and Dark Horse: The Private Life of George Harrison. In addition, he can be heard on the Westwood One Radio Network and has written and produced over sixty original spoken-word albums and video documentaries on various aspects of popular culture.