The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics)

Author - Mark Twain ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Puffin was reviewed on 25-Oct-2008.

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1) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. The Prince & The Pauper - the title of this book pretty much explains the plot. The Prince, Edward, Prince of Wales (son of Henry VIII) and The Pauper, Tom Canty of Offal Court meet one day and realizing how much they look alike decide to switch places for a day. If only it were that easy - as circumstances would have it it´s not that easy to explain the situation to people, thus it´s numerous days before they are reunited again, during which hilarity ensues.

It took me awhile to get into this book, which was suprising given that it´s only 209 pages. It just didn´t blow me away, that being said, I enjoyed the overall story and the life lessons that are subtley hidden through out the pages.¤

2) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. The Prince and the Pauper is Mark Twain´s historical novel of mistaken identity. In it, Prince Edward and a filthy, destitute urchin who looks exactly like him inadvertently switch places. The majority of the book is spent following the boys, particularly Edward, as they attempt (or not) to regain their rightful places.

This book features numerous historical characters, and Twain researched them and the time period well. There is a great deal of social commentary here, as Twain has quite a lot to say about some of the more ruthless laws that England has had. He also delivers a rather ironic commentary on the social classes of the day.

The Prince and the Pauper is entertaining, although it suffers from slow pacing. There´s entirely too much time spent with people carrying on about how each imposter has gone mad, and how he must be humored, and how this will put him to rights again. It grows tiresome, as does Edward´s continual attempts to assert his kingly rights while dressed in rags. His learning curve is a straight line.

All in all, The Prince and the Pauper is an entertaining enough book, and certainly it inspired innumerable inferior derivatives like few works have, but it doesn´t quite measure up to Twain´s later work of historical fiction, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur´s Court.
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3) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. One of the most persistent themes in American pop and literary culture is the switched identity plot. Movies like Garfield 2, Face-Off, Big Business and Double Dragon have been based on this trick. Where did it all start? Probably with this children´s classic by Mark Twain. Set in Renaissance England, it tells the story of two boys who look exactly alike, except one is a prince and the other is a poor boy. The two meet each other, exchange places, and have loads of fun. All ends well as they each regain their proper places with more wisdom and friends than before.

The text of the book is readable by most elementary school kids, though the length is quite long for a children´s work. The dialogue is English, and might make hard reading the first time around, and the comedy might be dry for those not used to it. But the book is enjoyable and totally appropriate. I highly recommend it.¤

4) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. The Prince and the Pauper is a classic tale of switched and mistaken identities when two young boys who are similar looking in appearance happen to meet each other and decide to change appearances. Despite the fact that the two look similar, the two boys have led quite different lives--one boy living a poor, destitute life with an abusive father, and the other, living a life of luxury. Once the two boys decide to switch to see how each other looks, they seemingly do not know that it will be hard to switch back. Mark Twain´s ability to establish a children´s story with a sense of royalty and fantasy intermixed is clearly attributed to his forte as a great versatile writer, both of satire and comedy, as well as fantasy. While the story has a simple idea and basis for its course--the idea that two boys must learn how to live in the "others" shoes for awhile--the greater strength and stability is to depict a strong moral in the story, which is that we often do not know or appreciate how hard things can be for someone else in life.

Another fun aspect of this work is simply the trademark satire from Twain. He has a way of making fun of the idea of royalty in a dignified and subtle way, and has fun once the two boys are in the "others" world. Not only this, but he has fun "overdoing" some of the scenes for both boys. Tom Canty is distressed at the process of how much trouble it is to do anything without the "Royal Court" helping him with an everyday task, from taxing to simple. The king is ashamed at the ill treatment he receives from mean citizens of the town, and despite his protests of being a king, no one listens.

Each child gets himself in unwittingly bad circumstances that he wishes himself out of, and each must find ways at adapting to their new life. For instance, Tom Canty cannot believe the power that his words has in the court of law, and he is both shocked, and impressed, by his ability to literally change the course of those condemned to death. Although frightened at first, he learns to manage his new station in life. Meanwhile, the poor king has to life an unaccustomed life of poverty, and must deal with all the malevolent allies of poor Tom´s father, despicable individuals who rob, cuss, steal, and are vulgar. Generally, he struggles, but is aided by a generous man named Miles Hendon, who helps him through all the difficulties.

Perhaps another moral evoked from Twain´s tale is that of not thinking yourself better than another person, despite your or their station in life. The boys seem to have to deal with this by the book´s end, and learn their ways, having a greater and deeper appreciation of the opposite point of view.

There is plenty of adventure, imagination, and humor to keep you entertained in this book. At times, several scenes do get a little confusing, but overall it is a rather quick and simple read. The Bantam Classic edition also has footnotes to explain terms in the index, and fairly big print easy for reading.¤

5) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. Very good edition with original illustrations replicated. Sent in a timely fashion and arrived in good condition.¤

6) Paperback Book The Prince and the Pauper (Puffin Classics) by Puffin. Tom Canty and Edward Tudor could have been identical twins. Their birthdays and their faces match, but there the likeness stops. For Edward is prince, heir to King Henry VIII of England, whilst Tom is a miserable pauper. But fate intervenes, and their identities become confused. Soon the prince is thrown out of the palace in rags, leaving ignorant Tom to play the part of a royal prince.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 22-Nov-2008, 01403674979780140367492, 970-050-510-460-331-161-341-1SB-8

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