Début du 20è siècle : la campagne contre la gestion de l'Etat indépendant du Congo sous la souveraineté du roi Léopold II, bat son plein. Partie d'Angleterre, elle s'étend à l'Europe continentale et aux Etats-Unis. En France, Charles Péguy prend position. En Angleterre, Arthur Conan Doyle dénonce les conditions réservées aux indigènes dans la récolte du caoutchouc. Aux Etats-Unis, Mark Twain, l'auteur de "Tom Sawyer", est sollicité pour écrire un pamphlet. Ce sera "Le soliloque du roi Léopold", dans lequel le grand humoriste met en scène un monarque monologuant contre ces critiques et sur sa mission civilisatrice.

Pamietniki Adama i Ewy stanowia obszerna nowele satyryczna, która wpisala sie do ´scislego kanonu literatury ameryka´nskiej i ´swiatowej. Ksiazka napisana jest w formie pamietników, najpierw Adama, najpierw nastepnie Ewy, które z wielkim poczuciem humoru opisuja wydarzenia z Ksiegi Rodzaju. Odkrywamy zaskoczenie Adama pojawieniem sie w ogrodzie Eden przedziwnej istoty o dlugich wlosach, grzech pierworodny, dramat wygnania i poczatki ziemskiego zycia, gdzie milo´s´c ludzka zastepuje milo´s´c boska i staje sie jedynym zbawieniem dostepnym w doczesno´sci. Troski i rado´sci pierwszej pary sa dla Marka Twaina pretekstem do glebokiej analizy ludzkiej natury ponadczasowych do ukazania ponadczasowych prawd o zwiazku pomiedzy kobieta i mezczyzna.

Hér er að finna samantekt fjgurra sígildra skáldsagna sem enginn ætti að láta framhjá sér fara. Fyrst er að nefna nefna sguna af Tuma litla eftir Mark Twain sem hfðar til lesenda á llum aldri. Hrifnæm frásgn af ráðagóðum dreng og kostulegum uppátækjum hans. Bækurnar Umhverfis jrðina á áttatíu dgum eftir Jules Verne og Róbinson Krúsó eftir Daniel Defoe opna heim stórfenglegra ævintýra sem fylgir fallegur boðskapur. Síðast en ekki síst geta lesendur unað sér við lestur hins stórbrotna harmleiks, Hamlet, eftir William Shakespeare. Hfundar bókanna í samantekt þessari eru Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, Daniel Defoe og Jules Verne.

La collection intitulée 'L'Époque Dorée du Roman Policier : 15 Chefs-d'OEuvre Classiques' est une anthologie captivante qui explore la richesse et la diversité du genre policier à travers différentes époques de son développement. Les récits sélectionnés couvrent une gamme de styles allant du mystère intellectuel au roman d'action, capturant l'essence de moments charnières dans l'évolution du récit criminel. Parmi les pièces notables, certaines oeuvres plongent le lecteur dans des enquêtes complexes et psychologiques, tandis que d'autres illustrent l'ingéniosité où l'astuce assure le triomphe de la justice. Ce volume est une opportunité de découvrir la diversité narrative qui a façonné une fascination mondiale pour le suspense. Les auteurs présentés, tels que Mark Twain, Émile Gaboriau, et Maurice Leblanc, ont joué un rôle crucial dans la formulation du roman policier moderne. Leurs antécédents variés, s'étendant des terrains de la littérature américaine aux paysages culturels européens, enrichissent cette anthologie. Inscrits dans une ère où le crime est devenu une métaphore plus large des changements sociaux, les écrivains rassemblés ici ont pavé la voie à l'émergence de figures emblématiques de détectives qui continuent de susciter l'intérêt et l'admiration. L'oeuvre s'aligne avec des mouvements tels que le réalisme et le naturalisme, et elle cultive une compréhension approfondie des impulsions sociales et psychologiques qui animent la criminalité. Recommandée aux amateurs du mystère et de l'intrigue, 'L'Époque Dorée du Roman Policier' est une immersion fascinante et instructive dans l'héritage littéraire collectif du crime fictionnel. Cette anthologie offre une précieuse chance d'explorer une variété de perspectives, alliant complexité narrative et profondeur thématique. En traversant ces divers récits, les lecteurs peuvent engager un dialogue intertextuel qui enrichit leur expérience littéraire. Cette collection est indispensable pour ceux qui cherchent à comprendre le développement du genre policier et apprécier la richesse de ses expérimentations stylistiques à travers l'histoire littéraire.

Énigmes Dévoilées : 14 Récits à Dormir Debout offre au lecteur une immersion fascinante dans l'univers du mystère et de l'énigme grâce à une collection éclectique d'histoires. Les récits captivent par la diversité des styles littéraires allant du roman policier au fantastique, chaque texte apportant sa propre atmosphère et intensité narrative. Cette anthologie interroge les limites entre le réel et l'imaginaire, portant le lecteur à travers des enquêtes intrigantes, des conundrums complexes, et des rebondissements inattendus. Parmi les oeuvres marquantes, figures des histoires d'énigmes qui défient les conventions et encouragent une réflexion profonde sur le mystère. Les auteurs de cette collection sont des figures emblématiques du monde littéraire telles que Edgar Allan Poe et Jules Verne, ainsi que des grands noms de la littérature française comme Maurice Leblanc et Gaston Leroux. Ces écrivains, connus pour leurs talents à tisser des récits captivants et ingénieux, apportent chacun une perspective unique qui enrichit ce recueil. Alignée avec les mouvements littéraires du Romantisme et du Réalisme, cette anthologie illustre l'évolution de la narration de l'énigme à travers le temps, jetant une lumière nouvelle sur des traditions littéraires anciennes et leur résonance contemporaine. Cette oeuvre est fortement recommandée pour ceux qui souhaitent s'immerger dans une mosaïque de narrations extraordinaires. Énigmes Dévoilées propose une rare opportunité de découvrir une diversité de perspectives et de styles au sein d'un seul volume, chaque histoire tissant des fils entre intrigue et réflexion. L'anthologie encourage vivement le lecteur à explorer la richesse des récits tout en suscitant un dialogue entre les différentes oeuvres et les contextes dans lesquels elles ont vu le jour, offrant une expérience littéraire à la fois éducative et divertissante.

The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world - the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous - is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that had no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains... This book deals with stories and qualities of the dog.

Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read. This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter. - Reading time of the complete text: about 6 hours - Reading time of the summarized text: 30 minutes "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" is a novel by Mark Twain that tells the story of a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. Tom Sawyer, the main character, has various adventures with his friend Huckleberry Finn. Despite initially being a commercial failure, the book became Twain's best-selling work during his lifetime. The plot follows Tom, an orphan living with his Aunt Polly and half-brother Sid in St. Petersburg, Missouri. Tom engages in mischievous activities, falls in love with a girl named Becky Thatcher, and witnesses a murder committed by Injun Joe. He and Huck swear to keep the murder a secret, leading to constant fear for their lives. The novel combines humor, satire, and social criticism, and is considered a masterpiece of American literature. It has been adapted into various forms, including ballet, theater, and video games.

Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read. This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter. - Reading time of the complete text: about 4 hours - Reading time of the summarized text: 11 minutes Mark Twain's "The Mysterious Stranger, and Other Stories." The narrative revolves around a character named Satan, who is depicted as a charming and intriguing figure. The story explores various themes such as the nature of reality, the concept of time, and the human condition. It also delves into the societal issues of the time, including witch-hunting and the fear of the unknown. The protagonist's interactions with Satan lead to a series of events that challenge their perceptions of life and morality. The narrative is filled with Twain's signature wit and satire, providing a critique of societal norms and human behavior. The story ends with a shocking revelation from Satan, leaving the protagonist in a state of existential crisis.

Missouri, années 1840. Tom Sawyer, garçon espiègle et rêveur, préfère les escapades sur les bords du Mississippi aux leçons de tante Polly.

Saint-Petersburg, Missouri, années 1840. Tom Sawyer, garçon espiègle et rêveur, préfère l’école buissonnière et les chasses au trésor aux leçons de morale de tante Polly.

Deep in the Wild West, young Mark Twain adventures through America. He's on a journey to a faraway land. With his brother by his side, Twain treks from town to town, undertaking a variety of jobs along the way. A prequel to his first novel, `The Innocents Abroad', `Roughing It' is a wanderlust-filled tale of personal growth and travel. Crafted with wit and humour, the memoir transports readers on a journey back to Twain's humble beginnings as a writer. Painting a captivating picture of 19th century America, the classic is perfect for Western lovers of Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt's `The Magnificent Seven'. Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910) was an American humorist, lecturer, journalist and novelist. Celebrated today as the father of American literature, his work spans epic stories of boyhood such as `The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and `The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn', as well as travel narratives, such as `The Innocents Abroad', `Roughing It', and `Life on the Mississippi'. A friend to presidents, artists and royalty, he is remembered today as a popular public figure. Continuing his influence, Twain inspires Disney attractions, singer Tom Petty's `Down South' and was portrayed by Nathan Osgood in the 2018 comedy `Holmes and Watson'.

Did you ever dream of going on an adventure to discover unknown lands? Embark on a journey with Mark Twain that will take you through Europe and beyond to the Holy Land. Following Twain's real 1867 tour alongside a troupe of American tourists, "The Innocents Abroad" winds its way through Paris, the Vatican, Odessa, Constantinople and Cairo. No city is spared from the scathing satire and insightful commentary of Twain's pen, making it an invaluable chronicle of world history as well as a classic of American literature. Fans of Bill Bryson or Colin Thubron should not miss the timeless wit of Twain's work, which remains one of the most popular travel books ever written. Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (1835-1910) was an American humorist, lecturer, journalist and novelist who acquired international fame for his adventure stories of boyhood, especially "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" as well as for his travel narratives, "The Innocents Abroad", "Roughing It", and "Life on the Mississippi". Twain transcended the apparent limitations of his humble origins to become one of America's most beloved writers.

1889, Connecticut. Hank Morgan, ingénieur pragmatique, se réveille après un choc à la tête… au VIe siècle, à Camelot.

Embarquez avec Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn et Jim pour un voyage roboratif à travers l’Afrique en ballon dirigeable ! Entre rencontres périlleuses, pyramides d’Égypte et lions du désert, ce récit d’aventure mêle humour, satire et dépaysement.

NB : Le fichier EPUB est seulement disponible dans sa version "MISE EN PAGE FIXE".Au cours d'une bagarre dans une de ses usines, un Yankee, self-made man audacieux, Hank Morgan, se retrouve subitement projeté treize cents ans en arrière, à la cour du roi Arthur. « Que peut faire un homme entreprenant, opportuniste et inventif, au milieu d'individus comme sire Galaad, sire Lancelot ou Merlin l'Enchanteur, ce magicien de pacotille ? » Telle est la question qui se pose à lui dès son arrivée. Immédiatement, la réponse lui apparaît : « Devenir le Sire Le Boss ! » Il n'aura de cesse, dès lors, de reconstruire son paradis perdu, et de faire de cette Grande-Bretagne, médiévale et confite en religion, une Amérique laïque des débuts de l'ère industrielle. Roman satirique et humoristique, grand précurseur de la Science-Fiction moderne, et en même temps, à la lisière de l'uchronie et du steampunk. Réédité ici avec les illustrations de la première édition américaine de 1889, voici un livre qu'il faut lire ou relire, jubilatoire et prémonitoire aussi d'un certain antagonisme culturel (voire plus...) entre une certaine vieille Europe et un certain nouveau Monde...Mark Twain (1835-1910) écrivain nord-américain. Après une carrière de militaire, il devient imprimeur puis journaliste. Son roman publié en 1876, Les Aventures de Tom Sawyer, le rend immédiatement célèbre. On lui doit de nombreux romans (Les Aventures de Huckleberry Finn, etc.) et contes ainsi que quelques essais dont un curieux Mémoires de Jeanne d'Arc ainsi que des récits de voyage (La vie sur le Mississippi, etc.).

Saint-Petersburg, années 1840. Tom Sawyer, orphelin turbulent et inventif, transforme chaque jour en aventure : école buissonnière, chasse au trésor, ou complot pour innocenter un accusé à tort.

1840, Missouri. Huck Finn, 13 ans, fuit son père violent et la société hypocrite en compagnie de Jim, un esclave en quête de liberté.

Un aristocrate anglais et un Américain excentrique s'affrontent dans un château du XIXe siècle. Entre quiproquos, prétentions et projets farfelus, Le Prétendant américain mêle satire sociale et humour déjanté pour une comédie littéraire.

Called by some the greatest American novel, Huckleberry Finn follows a boy and a runaway slave as they make their way down the Mississippi. In a world filled with con men and slaves, Huck and Jim have only each other to rely on. Mark Twain blends brilliant satire and social commentary with breathtaking adventure, told in Huck's own wry, observant words.Optimized for Kindle devices and featuring Panel Zoom facility.From its beginnings in the 1940's to today, Classics Illustrated continues to encourage a love of reading and adventure in youthful minds through beautifully-illustrated comic book adaptations of the world's most beloved stories by the world's greatest authors.A collection of Classics Illustrated books is an inviting start to any young person's library.

Découvrez l’art du journalisme à la sauce Mark Twain : deux nouvelles hilarantes et mordantes, Le journalisme dans le Tennessee et Comment je devins directeur d’un journal agricole.

Tom Sawyer, espiègle et libre, défie l’autorité et vit des aventures inoubliables au bord du Mississippi.

The American Classics Collection Volume One brings together a powerful and diverse selection of timeless works that have shaped the landscape of American literature. Featuring over fifteen novels and stories from iconic authors such as Ernest Hemingway, H. P. Lovecraft, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, and Frederick Douglass, this collection offers readers a unique journey through different eras, genres, and perspectives. From the stark realism and emotional depth of A Farewell to Arms to the cosmic horror of At the Mountains of Madness, the anthology highlights the remarkable range of American storytelling. Readers can explore the adventurous spirit of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the raw survival narrative of The Call of the Wild by Jack London, and the poetic reflections on nature and individuality in Walden by Henry David Thoreau. The collection also captures the social complexities of American life through works like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the deeply influential autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which provides a powerful firsthand account of slavery and the pursuit of freedom. Together, these works illuminate themes of identity, ambition, morality, and resilience. Perfect for both new readers and literary enthusiasts, this volume serves as an essential gateway into the richness of American literary heritage. Each story not only stands on its own as a masterpiece but also contributes to a broader conversation about the cultural, historical, and philosophical foundations of the United States. The American Classics Collection is more than an anthologyit is an invitation to explore the voices that continue to define and challenge the American experience. Contents: -A Farewell to Arms -At the Mountains of Madness -Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson -Little Women -The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn -The Adventures of Tom Sawyer -The Age of Innocence -The Awakening -The Call of the Wild -The Fall of the House of Usher -The Great Gatsby -The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass -The Raven -The Scarlet Letter -The Shadow Over Innsmouth -The Sun Also Rises -Walden

It is a good many years since I was in Switzerland last. In that remote time there was only one ladder railway in the country. That state of things is all changed. There isn't a mountain in Switzerland now that hasn't a ladder railroad or two up its back like suspenders; indeed, some mountains are latticed with them, and two years hence all will be. In that day the peasant of the high altitudes will have to carry a lantern when he goes visiting in the night to keep from stumbling over railroads that have been built since his last round. And also in that day, if there shall remain a high-altitude peasant whose potato-patch hasn't a railroad through it, it will make him as conspicuous as William Tell. However, there are only two best ways to travel through Switzerland. The first best is afoot. The second best is by open two-horse carriage. One can come from Lucerne to Interlaken over the Brunig by ladder railroad in an hour or so now, but you can glide smoothly in a carriage in ten, and have two hours for luncheon at noon-for luncheon, not for rest. There is no fatigue connected with the trip. One arrives fresh in spirit and in person in the evening-no fret in his heart, no grime on his face, no grit in his hair, not a cinder in his eye...

Décidé à partir à l'aventure, Huckleberry rencontre son ami esclave noir Jim qu'il aide à s'enfuir avant d'être revendu. Ils descendent ensemble au prix de multiples péripéties le long fleuve Mississipi

Referring to Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, H. L. Mencken noted that his discovery of this classic American novel was "the most stupendous event of my whole life"; Ernest Hemingway declared that "all modern American literature stems from this one book," while T. S. Eliot called Huck "one of the permanent symbolic figures of fiction, not unworthy to take a place with Ulysses, Faust, Don Quixote, Don Juan, Hamlet." The novel's preeminence derives from its wonderfully imaginative re-creation of boyhood adventures along the Mississippi River, its inspired characterization, the author's remarkable ear for dialogue, and the book's understated development of serious underlying themes: "natural" man versus "civilized" society, the evils of slavery, the innate value and dignity of human beings, and other topics. Most of all, Huckleberry Finn is a wonderful story, filled with high adventure and unforgettable characters.

Au XIXème siècle, Mark Twain se lance en politique sous l'étiquette indépendante.

`The Stolen White Elephant' is a funny and satirical short story, following the investigations of Inspector Blunt when a pale pachyderm is stolen. Gifted from a king to a queen, the ship carrying the eponymous elephant stops at a harbour in New Jersey and goes missing. In this tale, Twain expertly parodies police investigative procedures, as forces fail to share information and a horribly expensive manhunt - or should that be `elephant-hunt' - is launched. A laugh-out-loud read from the pen of one of the masters, `The Stolen White Elephant' is sure to delight readers familiar with Twain's body of work. Mark Twain is the pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (1835-1910). He was an American humourist, lecturer, journalist, and novelist who acquired international fame for his adventure stories of boyhood, especially 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. Twain transcended the apparent limitations of his origins to become a popular public figure and one of America's most beloved writers. So many of Mark Twain's stories have been made into films that it is impossible to name them all. The most popular ones are "The Adventures of Huck Finn" (1993), starring Elijah Wood, "Tom Sawyer" (1973), starring Jodie Foster, and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1990), produced by Walt Disney animation.

Twain began his career writing light, humorous verse, but he became a chronicler of the vanities, hypocrisies, and murderous acts of mankind. At mid-career, he combined rich humor, sturdy narrative, and social criticism in Huckleberry Finn. He was a master of rendering colloquial speech and helped to create and popularize a distinctive American literature built on American themes and language. A complete bibliography of Twain's works is nearly impossible to compile because of the vast number of pieces he wrote (often in obscure newspapers) and his use of several different pen names. This book contains more than 30 of the most famous and significant works of Mark Twain. Novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn Stories The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Aurelia's Unfortunate Young Man A Complaint about Correspondents, Dated in San Francisco Answers to Correspondents Among the Fenians The Story of the Bad Little Boy Who Didn't Come to Grief Curing a Cold An Inquiry about Insurances Literature in the Dry Diggings "After" Jenkins Lucretia Smith's Soldier The Killing of Julius Cæsar "Localized" An Item Which the Editor Himself Could Not Understand Among the Spirits Brief Biographical Sketch of George Washington A Touching Story of George Washington's Boyhood A Page from a Californian Almanac Information for the Million The Launch of the Steamer Capital Origin of Illustrious Men Advice for Good Little Girls Concerning Chambermaids Remarkable Instances of Presence of Mind Honored as a Curiosity in Honolulu The Steed "Oahu" A Strange Dream Short and Singular Rations A Letter from Santa Claus What Stumped the Blue Jays Essay On the Decay of the Art of Lying

Anthology of Christmas Stories is a unique collection of Christmas tales, reflections, and poems from beloved authors across the centuries and makes the perfect gift for the reader in your life. This beautiful treasury will take you back to firesides, simple gifts, and warm family moments of Christmases past as you cherish the timeless truths and joys of the season. Contents: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol The Chimes G.K. Chesterton A Christmas Carol L.M. Montgomery The Red Room A Christmas Mistake A Christmas Inspiration The Josephs' Christmas Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket The Osbornes' Christmas Bertie's New Year Ida's New Year Cake The Christmas Surprise at Enderly Road Clorinda's Gifts The Falsoms' Christmas Dinner The Unforgotten One Christmas at Red Butte Uncle Richard's New Year's Dinner L. Frank Baum A Kidnapped Santa Claus Little Bun Rabbit Mark Twain A Letter from Santa Claus Louisa May Alcott A Merry Christmas Leo Tolstoy A Russian Christmas Party Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Christmas Bells The Three Kings Nikolai Gogol Christmas Eve William Dean Howells Christmas Everyday The Pony Engine and the Pacific Express Joseph Rudyard Kipling Christmas in India Elizabeth Harrison Little Gretchen and the Wooden Shoe John Milton On the Morning of Christ's Nativity Hans Christian Andersen The Fir Tree The Little Match Girl Selma Lagerlof The Holy Night Clement Moore The Night Before Christmas Henry van Dyke The Other Wise Man Beatrix Potter The Tailor of Gloucester Anton Chehov Vanka O. Henry The Gift of the Magi Hesba Stretton The Christmas Child Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows Robert Louis Stevenson Christmas at Sea Walter Scott Christmas In The Olden Time Alfred Tennyson Ring out, wild bells Abbie Farwell Brown The Christmas Angel Anthony Trollope Christmas at Thompson Hall Thomas Hardy The Oxen William Butler Yeats The Magi William Makepeace Thackeray The Mahogany Tree Charles Kingsley Christmas Day Ella Wheeler Wilcox Christmas Fancies C. W. Stubbs Twas Jolly, Jolly Wat Eugene Field Jest 'Fore Christmas Paul Laurence Dunbar A Christmas Folksong William Topaz McGonagall A Tale of Christmas Eve Emily Dickinson The Savior must have been a docile Gentleman

Why are they taking me away from my mother? Please someone stop them! Imagine the pain of being separated from your loving mother as a young child. This is exactly what the poor puppy Aileen had to face. Aileen Mavourneen is a St. Bernard and collie cross puppy who thinks of herself as a Presbyterian because that is what her mother had told her. At first, life for Aileen seems perfect with her new family until a fire breaks out in the house of her master. Aileen risks her own life to save her owner's infant but her actions are misunderstood. Will anyone return the favour to save Aileen's pup? This heart-breaking tale plays with the reader's feelings while depicting the life of a family seen through the eyes of a dog. Mark Twain is the pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (1835-1910). He was an American humorist, lecturer, journalist and novelist who acquired international fame for his adventure stories of boyhood, especially 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' as well as for his travel narratives, especially 'The Innocents Abroad', 'Roughing It', and 'Life on the Mississippi'. Twain transcended the apparent limitations of his origins to become a popular public figure and one of America's most beloved writers. So many of Mark Twain's stories have been made into films that it is impossible to name them all. The most popular are "The Adventures of Huck Finn" (1993) starring Elijah Wood, "Tom Sawyer" (1973) starring Jodie Foster, and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1990) produced by Walt Disney animation.

Rien n'arrête le révérend Smiley quand il s'agit de parier. Il parie sur les courses d'animaux - chiens, coqs, chats ou chevaux - et même sur la mort des à venir des uns et des autres. On dit qu'un jour, il éleva dans son arrière-cour une grenouille, lui apprit à sauter comme aucune ne sautait, puis la transporta dans une boîte dans toute la ville, décidé à parier et gagner... Il s'agit du tout premier conte de Mark Twain, celui-là même par lequel il acquit une reconnaissance nationale et un nom d'exception dans la littérature américaine. James Russell Lowell lui-même qualifia le texte de « plus beau morceau d'humour écrit en Amérique ». Mark Twain (1835-1910) est le nom de plume de Samuel Langhorne Clemens, écrivain, essayiste et humoriste américain. Il devient imprimeur suite au décès de son père puis exerce le métier de journaliste, qui le mène à voyager en Europe en tant que correspondant de presse. Son enfance au Missouri a grandement influencé ses oeuvres, des classiques de la littérature de jeunesse. Ses histoires ont été adaptées de nombreuses fois, avec par exemple le film « Les Aventures de Huckleberry Finn » (1994), avec Elijah Wood, et l'animation Disney « Le Prince et le Pauvre » (1990).

Un détective amateur, Archy Stillmann, possède l'incroyable don de détecter les objets grâce à un flair hors norme. À bien des égards, il surpasse Sherlock Holmes : alors que tout deux sont impliqués dans la résolution d'un crime, Archy contredit l'enquêteur britannique sur ses démonstrations et conclusions... (« Plus fort que Sherlock Holmes ») Un train se retrouve coincé en pleine tempête de neige et au beau milieu de nulle part. Les voyageurs, glacés jusqu'aux os et peu à peu affamés, décident de goûter à la chair humaine... (« Cannibalisme en voyage ») Voici là un recueil de sept nouvelles policières dans lesquelles Mark Twain s'amuse à dépoussiérer les clichés des romans populaires, et à rendre le genre plus vivant qu'il ne l'a jamais été. Mark Twain (1835-1910) est le nom de plume de Samuel Langhorne Clemens, écrivain, essayiste et humoriste américain. Il devient imprimeur suite au décès de son père puis exerce le métier de journaliste, qui le mène à voyager en Europe en tant que correspondant de presse. Son enfance au Missouri a grandement influencé ses oeuvres, des classiques de la littérature de jeunesse. Ses histoires ont été adaptées de nombreuses fois, avec par exemple le film « Les Aventures de Huckleberry Finn » (1994), avec Elijah Wood, et l'animation Disney « Le Prince et le Pauvre » (1990).