The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories


Book Description

"The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories," published in 1906, is a collection of thirty comic short stories by the American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The stories contained the most successful plays he created throughout his career, from "Advice to Young Girls" in 1865 to the titular tale in 1904.




The Complete Short Stories of Mark Twain


Book Description

For deft plotting, riotous inventiveness, unforgettable characters, and language that brilliantly captures the lively rhythms of American speech, no American writer comes close to Mark Twain. This sparkling anthology covers the entire span of Twain’s inimitable yarn-spinning, from his early broad comedy to the biting satire of his later years. Every one of his sixty stories is here: ranging from the frontier humor of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” to the bitter vision of humankind in “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg,” to the delightful hilarity of “Is He Living or Is He Dead?” Surging with Twain’s ebullient wit and penetrating insight into the follies of human nature, this volume is a vibrant summation of the career of–in the words of H. L. Mencken–“the father of our national literature.”




The $30,000 Bequest


Book Description




No. 44, The Mysterious Stranger


Book Description

Originally published: Berkeley, Calif; London: University of California Press, 1969.




Merry Tales


Book Description

"To no writer can the term 'American' more justly be applied than to the humorist whose Merry Tales are here presented." -Editor's Note, Merry Tales (1892) Merry Tales (1892) is a collection of seven humorous short stories written by Mark Twain in his quintessential satirical style. This collection includes Meisterschaft, a play where two young lovers conduct their courtship in beginning German; Luck, a funny sketch about the military and The Private History of a Campaign That Failed, this collection's most popular story about Twain's experiences during the Civil War. This jacketed hardcover replica of the 1892 edition of Merry Tales is a nice addition to the library of Mark Twain aficionados.




The 30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories


Book Description

Welcome to the intriguing world of Mark Twain's "The 30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories", where wit intertwines with satire, offering readers a delightful glimpse into the complexities of human nature and society. Prepare to embark on a journey through a collection of short stories that showcase Twain's unparalleled storytelling prowess and keen observations of the human condition. Within these pages, you'll encounter a diverse array of characters, each with their own quirks and motivations, navigating the challenges and absurdities of life in 19th-century America. From the humorous misadventures of the bumbling protagonist in "The $30,000 Bequest" to the poignant reflections on race and identity in "The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg," Twain's stories captivate readers with their wit, charm, and incisive social commentary. Themes of greed, deception, and the pursuit of wealth echo throughout the collection, inviting readers to reflect on the timeless moral dilemmas that continue to resonate in contemporary society. Through his vivid characterizations and sharp dialogue, Twain offers readers a window into the complexities of human nature, challenging conventional wisdom and exposing the follies of the human condition. Twain's stories are imbued with a distinctive blend of humor and poignancy, evoking laughter and introspection in equal measure. Whether he's skewering the pretensions of the upper class or highlighting the absurdities of small-town life, Twain's wit shines through, leaving readers both entertained and enlightened. Critically acclaimed for his wit, insight, and storytelling prowess, Mark Twain remains one of America's most beloved authors, and "The 30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories" showcases some of his finest work. With its timeless themes, engaging characters, and masterful storytelling, this collection is sure to delight readers of all ages and backgrounds. So don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Mark Twain. Let "The 30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories" whisk you away on a journey of laughter, introspection, and unforgettable entertainment. Grab your copy now and discover why Twain's enduring tales continue to captivate readers around the world.




The Best Short Stories of Mark Twain


Book Description

This unique collection of Twain’s essential short stories and semiautobiographical narratives is a testament to the author’s vast imagination. Featuring popular tales such as “Jim Smiley and His Jumping Frog” and “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg,” as well as some delightful excerpts from The Diaries of Adam and Eve, this compilation also includes darker works written in the author’s twilight years. These selections illuminate the depth of Twain’s artistry, humor, irony, and narrative genius.




Different Seasons


Book Description

Includes the stories “The Body” and “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”—set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine A “hypnotic” (The New York Times Book Review) collection of four novellas—including the inspirations behind the films Stand By Me and The Shawshank Redemption—from Stephen King, bound together by the changing of seasons, each taking on the theme of a journey with strikingly different tones and characters. This gripping collection begins with “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” in which an unjustly imprisoned convict seeks a strange and startling revenge—the basis for the Best Picture Academy Award-nominee The Shawshank Redemption. Next is “Apt Pupil,” the inspiration for the film of the same name about top high school student Todd Bowden and his obsession with the dark and deadly past of an older man in town. In “The Body,” four rambunctious young boys plunge through the façade of a small town and come face-to-face with life, death, and intimations of their own mortality. This novella became the movie Stand By Me. Finally, a disgraced woman is determined to triumph over death in “The Breathing Method.” “The wondrous readability of his work, as well as the instant sense of communication with his characters, are what make Stephen King the consummate storyteller that he is,” hailed the Houston Chronicle about Different Seasons.







The $30,000 Bequest and Other Short Stories Illustrated


Book Description

The $30,000 Bequest and Other Stories (1906) is a collection of thirty comic short stories by the American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The stories contained span the course of his career, from "Advice to Young Girls" in 1865 to the titular tale in 1904. Although Twain had ample time to refine his short stories between their original publication date and this collection, there is little evidence to suggest he took an active interest in doing so. "A Burlesque Biography" contains only a few minor technical revisions which make it different from the 1871 version found in Mark Twain's "(Burlesque) Autobiography and First Romance". "Advice to Little Girls" shows slight revision from its earlier publication in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County