> Skip to content
  • Published: 15 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9781101873106
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $24.99

The Prince and the Pauper




Mark Twain's first foray into historical fiction, set in 1547, tells the story of two young boys who are indistinguishable in appearance: Tom Canty, an impoverished urchin who lives with his abusive father in London's filthiest streets, and pampered Prince Edward, the son and heir of King Henry VIII. Happening upon each other by chance, the two boys trade clothes on a whim, but soon find that changing places will be difficult to undo. While Tom lives in the lap of luxury and finds he has a knack for rendering wise judgments, the ragged Prince roams the city and discovers firsthand the misery of his poorest subjects' lives. When Edward's father dies and it is time to claim his throne, he finds that no one will believe he is who he says he is. In this rollicking tale, written "for young people of all ages," Twain's scathing indictment of injustice comes clothed in his trademark humor and wit.

Mark Twain’s satiric novel about two boys who trade places in Tudor England—written “for young people of all ages”—was his first foray into historical fiction. 

Set in 1547, The Prince and the Pauper brings together Tom Canty, an impoverished urchin who lives with his abusive father in London’s filthiest streets, and pampered Prince Edward, the son of King Henry VIII. Noticing their uncanny resemblance, the two boys trade clothes on a whim. While Tom lives in the lap of luxury and finds he has a knack for rendering wise judgments, the ragged Prince Edward roams the city and discovers firsthand the misery of his poorest subjects’ lives. But when the king dies and Edward tries to claim his throne, he finds that changing places will be difficult to undo. In this rollicking tale, Twain’s scathing indictment of injustice comes richly clothed in his trademark humor and wit.

  • Published: 15 February 2015
  • ISBN: 9781101873106
  • Imprint: Knopf US
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 272
  • RRP: $24.99

Other books in the series

On Sparta
Love
Annals
Military Dispatches

About the author

Mark Twain

Mark Twain's real name was Sam Clemens, and he was born in 1835 in a small town on the Mississippi, one of seven children. He smoked cigars at the age of eight, and aged nine he stowed away on a steamboat. He left school at 11 and worked at a grocery store, a bookstore, a blacksmith's and a newspaper, where he was allowed to write his own stories (not all of them true). He then worked on a steamboat, where he got the name 'Mark Twain' (from the call given by the boat's pilot when their boat is in safe waters). Eventually he turned to journalism again, travelled round the world, and began writing books which became very popular. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are his most famous novels. He poured the money he earned from writing into new business ventures and crazy inventions, such as a clamp to stop babies throwing off their bed covers, a new boardgame, and a hand grenade full of extinguishing liquid to throw on a fire. With his shock of white hair and trademark white suit Mark Twain became the most famous American writer in the world. He died in 1910.

Also by Mark Twain

See all