Customer Reviews

Eve's Diary, Complete

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I recommend almost any Mark Twain writings, and the Diary's of Adam and Eve are two of my favorites. Twain did a miraculous job of creating an almost perfect idea of what Adam and Eve must have been really thinking if they actually thought like men and women.
Funny, sweet, and good-natured, this is a good tale for both young and old.

"Eve's Diary" is one of the most famous and notable entries in Mark Twain's series purporting to be the diaries of Adam and Eve. Like the others, it is a different take on the classic story; both humorous and thought-provoking, it recreates the famous scene with surprising plausibility and is very enjoyable. This begins somewhat more light-heartedly than the related stories, and is indeed quite funny, but ends with one of the most powerfully affecting love meditations ever. It is hard to read without a tear, and anyone who has ever loved will be profoundly touched. Often seen as a tribute to Twain's recently deceased wife, this is a small masterpiece. Anyone interested in Twain should read it, especially those who enjoyed related pieces, and it is highly recommended for anyone interested in Genesis - and indeed for everyone, as its core element is the most universal of human feelings. Though well worth reading in itself, it is available in collections - The Bible According to Mark Twain, etc. - alongside related pieces and many other works, making a standalone hard to justify.

This is the companion to Extracts from Adam's Diary. Although the tone of this story is quite different that Adam's Diary in that it is not overtly humorous, it is still a worthwhile read. The two stories together poke fun at the differences between the sexes. This one, being from the female perspective, is a little more introspective and emotional, but nonetheless still humorous when comparing how the two genders completely misinterpret each others actions and can witness the same event and come up with two different versions of what happened. Yet despite these seemingly irreconcilable differences, the two still come to love and depend on each other.

I do recommend reading Adam's Diary first, otherwise the end of Eve's Diary has little meaning. I actually teared up on reading it.

There will never be another Twain... his wit and humor continue to be a gift he left to the world of literature. This little story taken from Eve's point of view about life in Eden (and in the beginning) is a shining example of this.

A lighthearted yet moving story.