The Story

The heart of the book is the title story. Saladin and Electra Foster, a sensible couple, get news that a distant relative will leave them $30,000. The catch? They only get it after he dies. While they wait, they start spending the fortune in their imaginations. They buy houses, take trips, and become the town's biggest philanthropists—all on paper. As the years drag on, this phantom wealth twists their personalities and their marriage, showing how the promise of money can be more corrosive than money itself.

The other stories are a mixed bag of Twain's shorter works. You get satirical jabs, odd little character sketches, and some outright funny tales. It's like rummaging through his writer's notebook—some ideas are fully polished gems, others are fascinating fragments.

Why You Should Read It

Twain's humor hasn't aged a day. The way he describes the Fosters' grand plans and their slow, comedic unraveling is genius. You'll laugh, then catch yourself thinking, 'Wait, I'd probably do the same thing.' It's a story about human nature, not just 19th-century manners. The supporting stories give you more of his voice, which is always a pleasure. You see him play with ideas, poke fun at hypocrisy, and just tell a good yarn.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves classic American humor with a sharp edge. If you enjoy stories about regular people getting tangled up in their own dreams, you'll love the main tale. The collection format is great for bedtime reading or short commutes. Don't expect every story to be a home run, but the title story alone is worth the price of admission. It's a brilliant, funny reminder that sometimes the wanting is stranger than the getting.