The Mysterious Stranger - Paperback

by Mark Twain (Author)

The Mysterious Stranger is a novel written by the renowned American author Mark Twain. The book is set in Austria and follows the story of a group of young boys who meet a mysterious stranger named Satan. Satan is portrayed as a supernatural being who possesses immense knowledge and power, and he begins to teach the boys about the nature of reality, the human condition, and the concept of good and evil.As the story progresses, the boys are taken on a journey through time and space, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations and the struggles of humanity. Through their interactions with Satan, they begin to question their own beliefs and values, and the novel explores themes such as morality, free will, and the nature of God.The Mysterious Stranger is considered to be one of Twain's most philosophical works, and it has been praised for its insightful commentary on the human condition. The book was originally published posthumously, and several versions of the manuscript exist, each with different endings. Despite its complex themes and philosophical musings, the novel remains accessible and engaging, making it a must-read for fans of Twain's work and anyone interested in exploring the deeper questions of life.IT WAS IN 1590--winter. Austria was far away from the world, and asleep; it was still the Middle Ages in Austria, and promised to remain so forever. Some even set it away back centuries upon centuries and said that by the mental and spiritual clock it was still the Age of Belief in Austria.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Back Jacket

In his last years Mark Twain had become a respected literary figure whose opinions were widely sought by the press. He had also suffered a series of painful physical, economic, and emotional losses. The Mysterious Stranger, published posthumously in 1916 and belonging to Twain's "dark" period, belies the popular image of the affable American humorist. In this antireligious tale, Twain denies the existence of a benign Providence, a soul, an afterlife, and even reality itself. As the Stranger in the story asserts, "nothing exists; all is a dream".