Uncensored Writings (Perennial Classics) - Letters from the Earth

Very different from most of his writing, although the circumstances previous to the writing had certainly colored his outlook. Still, very worthy of reading because of the different angle from which it is written.

This work gives excellent insights into Twain's cynical
view of accepted religion in his time--Satan is a rather
sympathetic character, and he sends letters to Heaven
describing the odd ideas, beliefs, and practices of the
human race. The work probably presents Twain's actual
cynical views of both the human race and of accepted
religion, in an amusing voice. Certainly worth a lot more than
the modern price, since copyright expired, of zero.

Mark Twain had strong political and religious beliefs that rarely followed that popular opinion of the mainstream, he cleverly disguised it with humor. Thls book was banned and is still not available at public libraries.

For all thinkers from every walk of life from the atheist to the sacrimonious Christian. Letters from the Earth challenges one to go beyond his normal mental discourses and venture into the realm which directly criticizes a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Never realized Mark Twain was as angry with God as this book details...nor as sexually repressed as he was. While he was familiar with Bible stories, he obviously was unable to go any deeper than the surface in understanding their allegorical and deeper meanings. For as prolific and entertaining a writer as he was, I was a little disappointed in this book. It was essentially one long rant against God, and how unfair Twain thought He was. Reading the Bible as literature is one thing, reading it as the inspired Word of God is quite another. It's no wonder that he specifically wanted to wait 100 years after his death for this book to be published.

Funny, Sardonic, Irreverant...pure Mark Twain! After reading "The Mysterious Stranger", I was curious to read 'Letters". Twain's critique of religions, governments,societies is as relevant today as when he penned these works. Brilliant!

I first read this book when it was first published as a posthumous surprise. At the time it was just that. Some of the sections would never have been accepted during his lifetime and were still a bit edgy. Now after many years, I think it is a collection of things he wrote for his own pleasure in working out his more unconventional (for the time)opinions but that he never expected to let his public see. I still think it is for the most part brilliant satire but parts of it either weren't funny or were just beyond my comprehension. It's still well worth reading.
pat c

I read just the "Letters from the Earth" portion of this book for a book club selection. I had previously read "Letters from the Earth" some 50 years earlier and I can honestly say that this book changed my life. Mark Twain with his satirical humor lead me to consider some of the religious doctrines I had grown up with and started me down the road to thinking for myself and arriving at my own conclusions. This book is irreverent, funny and thought provoking--if you have an open mind.

Twain takes the reader on a fictional tour through the eyes of Michael the archangel and fallen angel Lucifer of the beginning of the universe and Man's appearance on earth. He does this with letters sent from the visiting Lucifer back to Michael in heaven. I found it cosmically humorous and to be a showpiece of Twain's wit and power of observation. Many might think this book to be heretical, but with an open mind, may find it amusing, if not eye-opening.

Silly book, expected better as was by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). My g-g-grandfather lived in the Hannibal, Missouri area and knew the man. family stories passed down encouraged me to read some of his books which my Father had a whole set of. Unfortunately, this book is not what I expected.

This is reviewing the version with a religious type painting on the cover.

It has no foreword, no afterward; just the bare text that seems to copied from the internet (errors and all). For around the price of this "book" you can buy 'The Bible According to Mark Twain: Irreverent Writings on Eden, Heaven, and the Flood by America's Master Satirist' which has Letters From The Earth and much more. Don't waste your time and money on this extremely lazy edition.