Mysterious Stranger and Other Stories (edition 1962)

This has been my "in between" book. If I finish a book, but don't get to the library to check out the next one, this is the book I would read. I am not a big fan of short stories, but this wasn't too bad. Around 12/25/2010 (CHRISTMAS!) decided to finish the book. The last story was Mysterious Stranger. It was pretty lengthy. I had started it but forgot much about what had happened so started it over. It had good parts, but mostly just "eh."
Here is the story number, name, star, total stars, running average:
1 The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveris County 4,4,4.0
2 The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connecticut 5,9,4.5
3 The Stolen White Elephant 2,11,3.67,
4 Luck 2,13,3.25
5 The 1,000,000pound Bank-Note 4, 17, 3.40
6 The Man That Corrupted HadleyBurg 4, 21, 3.50
7 The Five Boons of Life 2, 23, 3.29
8 Was It Heaven? Or Hell? 1, 24, 3.00
9 The Mysterious Stranger 3, 27, 3.00 ( )

In the same vein as Letters from the Earth and Little Bessie, this book reveals Twain's cynical assessment of the human condition, it's frailty and superstitious nature. It is an example of his wicked humor at it's best. Even so, the ending came as quite a surprise. I wonder if his statements in the closing chapter reflected his true beliefs or were just added for the effect they will undoubtedly produce in his readers. ( )

I feel this book should have bore a bright red label warning Twain lovers off of it. Although the first half of the book is made up of familiar Twain humor, candor and humility, it is the title story in the second half that is a sad, sudden departure. Although written brilliantly and captivatingly, the story of three boys acquaintance of Satan's "nephew" reveals a much darker side of Twain - one I don't think the casual Twain fan is aware of. I certainly wasn't and now I find that my mental profile of him has changed. I wasn’t prepared. --SA Justus ( )