Rich with surprise and hilarious adventure, The Prince and the Pauper is a delightful satire of England’s romantic past and a joyful boyhood romp filled with the same tongue-in-cheek irony that sparks the best of Mark Twain’s tall tales. Two boys, one an urchin from London’s filthy lanes, the other a prince born in a lavish palace, unwittingly trade identities. Thus a bedraggled “Prince of Poverty” discovers that his private dreams have all come true—while a pampered Prince of Wales finds himself tossed into a rough-and-tumble world of squalid beggars and villainous thieves. Originally written as a story for children, The Prince and the Pauper is a classic novel for adults as well—through its stinging attack on the ageless human folly of attempting to measure true worth by outer appearances.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens in 1835, was an American writer and humorist known for his sharp wit and satire. He is best known for his novels "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," which are considered classics of American literature. Twain's writing style is characterized by his use of vernacular language and his keen observations of human nature. He is credited with helping to shape the American literary tradition and is often referred to as the "father of American literature." Twain's works continue to be studied and celebrated for their humor, social commentary, and enduring relevance.