Book club - The Mysterious Stranger

[Mehm]

So maybe some people have read this by now. It was fantastic and uber funny if you ask me.

A brief synopses is as follows. Three boys from a sleepy Austrian town in the middle ages meet Satan. He takes them (one in particular) on fantastic journeys to see far off lands. He also interferes in the lives of the towns people for better or worse. The book is a terrific commentary on human nature and belief. Highly readable and hilarious

Any other thoughts on this masterpiece?


btw, the rest of the Collected Short Stories are a riot. This dude knows comedy and social commentary.

and a link to the interesting clyamation version (the written story goes much more in depth) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqi5F5MqqTQ

 

[Mehm]

ne1?

 

[Noodle]

I finished this about a month ago.

I have to run back out for a bit.

I'll be back to discuss this after the weekend.

 

[spork]

I think I read the wrong version of the book.

I still enjoyed it though. I got my mom reading it now.

 

[Mehm]

what version did you read spork? mine said it was a special addition er something..i can't find it right now.

 

[Mehm]

I love how the boys fall in love with Satan and comments like, "if only Satan were here, he'd make everything better." Also interesting that nothing is said of Satan's relationship to heaven or hell (that I recall). He is only a character.

 

[spork]

I got No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger. According to the book flap it's the one based off of Twain's final draft while The Mysterious Stranger was from his first draft. I actually realized I was probably reading the wrong book about half way through, but I didn't want to stop. I was liking it too much! :D

Which reminds me, this book is totally overdue at the library.