Book Cover of The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper

by Mark Twain

A poor young boy from the slums of London watches a royal procession pass, with the youthful Prince of Wales riding at its head. He ventures too close and is caught and beaten by the Prince's guards. However, the young royal stops them and invites the vagrant to the palace. Here the two boys sup alone and are stunned to discover that they bear a startling resemblance to each other. The Prince is Edward, long awaited heir of the monarch, Henry VIII, while the vagrant is Tom Canty, the son of a thief and a beggar. Edward is fascinated by the free and unfettered life that Tom leads, while Tom is overawed by the wealth and luxury of the palace. The boys decide to switch clothes. From here, adventure begins for both of them! First published in 1881, The Prince and The Pauper by Mark Twain is the famous American writer and humorist's first foray into historical fiction. Set in the sixteenth century Tudor court of Henry VIII, the book is reputedly Mark Twain's most carefully plotted novel. Great attention has been paid to setting, dialog and character. Early plot devices are carefully constructed to become invaluable features that carry the story along. Several real historical figures appear in the book. It is also a novel of contrasts. The two boys, born on exactly the same day, have completely different destinies. Before they meet, they each have dreams that are very different from their circumstances. Edward longs to be free to roam the streets at will, unhampered by court protocol and conventions. Tom yearns for security, comfort and the certainty of knowing where his next meal will come from.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1881

Authors

Mark Twain image

Mark Twain

United States

Twain was fascinated with science and scientific inquiry. He developed a close and lasting friendship with Nikola Tesla, and the two spent much time together in Tesla's laboratory. Twain patented thre...

Books by Mark Twain

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Cover image

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

If ever there was a story written based unabashedly on adventure and trouble, this is it. There are treasure hunts and murderers on the run in this b...

Home Education Series Vol. II: Parents and Children Cover image

Home Education Series Vol. II: Parents and Children by Charlotte Mason

In 'Parents and Children,' Charlotte Mason presents her philosophy of home education, focusing on the role of parents as educators. She emphasizes a...

Tinkle, the Trick Pony Cover image

Tinkle, the Trick Pony by Richard Barnum

Tinkle, the Trick Pony is a charming children's story about a clever pony who finds himself in trouble before being taken into the circus. This book f...

My Book Of Favourite Fairy Tales Cover image

My Book Of Favourite Fairy Tales by Edric Vredenberg

This compilation gathers a selection of well-known and beloved fairy tales, many of which hold a cherished place in our childhood memories. The storie...

Princess Sukey: The Story of a Pigeon and Her Human Friends Cover image

Princess Sukey: The Story of a Pigeon and Her Human Friends by Marshall Saunders

The book tells the story of a domestic pigeon named Sukey and her adventures with her human friends. The story emphasizes the importance of kindness a...

Billy Bunny and Daddy Fox Cover image

Billy Bunny and Daddy Fox by David Cory

Billy Bunny and Daddy Fox is a collection of short stories about the adventures of Billy Bunny and his friend Daddy Fox. The stories are set in a wood...

Fairy Tales Collection of Hans Christian Andersen  Cover image

Fairy Tales Collection of Hans Christian Andersen by Hans Christian Andersen

A collection of something for everyone - the very popular stories, the less well-known stories and favorites, that both children and grownups can enj...

Magic Nuts Cover image

Magic Nuts by Mary Louisa Molesworth

Magic Nuts is a delightful children's story about Leonore, a little English girl, taken by her governess to Fraulein Elsa's home town in an (unnamed)...

The Junior Classics Volume 1: Fairy and Wonder Tales Cover image

The Junior Classics Volume 1: Fairy and Wonder Tales by William Patten

The purpose of The Junior Classics is to provide, in ten volumes containing about five thousand pages, a classified collection of tales, stories, and...

Jataka Tales Cover image

Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt

The Jataka Tales are a collection of stories that originated in ancient India. They are said to be based on the teachings of the Buddha, who lived in...

Reviews for The Prince and the Pauper

No reviews posted or approved, yet...