The Mysterious Stranger and Other Stories

Description

Mark Twain’s last significant work is also one of his greatest. The Mysterious Stranger challenges the most fundamental thinking processes that Twain’s contemporaries were used to, as well as our own in this day and age, the novel still being extremely authentic and leading modern day readers to return to the roots of what they believe, and search for truth.

This collection of Twain’s works includes many short stories from throughout his illustrious career, most of which are centered around the topic of money, as well as around the great writer’s overall negative opinion of American society and values. We are acquainted with a poor man being used as part of an experiment by two wealthy millionaires in The $1,000,000 Bank Note.

The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg is another true masterpiece, outlining the story of an incorruptible town and its dealings with the temptation of money. Twain exposes the drawbacks of the false sense of social responsibility, mob mentality and hypocrisy that can still often be seen even in today’s society.

Finally, The Mysterious Stranger is the main highlight of this story collection. This short novel is set up in a 16th century Austrian village, where Satan arrives to expose morally questionable tendencies and many other weaknesses associated with anything from family and childhood to war, religion and justice – all concepts tackled by Twain in a ferocious attempt to expose the mistakes that humanity has taken for granted in its acceptance of the common roles, ideals and rules attributed to these significant subjects.

The Mysterious Stranger, as well as Mark Twain’s other impressive works included in this collection are considered controversial by some and brilliant by others. It is well worth exploring Twain’s majestic writings, however, and forming your own unique opinion about the concepts, psychological considerations and moral ideals that are approached in these impressive stories.
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