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bobbyzim's review
5.0
As Relevant to the 21st Century as to the 16th
A case of mistaken identity leads to London street beggar Tom Canty trading places with his body double, Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, hours before the latter ascends to become King Edward VI in January 1587. It has been adapted, retreaded and parodied many times throughout the last century, but most newer versions merely scratch the surface as a satire about class, while [a:Mark Twain|1244|Mark Twain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322103868p2/1244.jpg]'s focus is much deeper. In a key misadventure, Edward encounters a hermit who is as convinced he is an archangel as Edward is that he is king, but the hermit is supposedly really insane, whereas Edward is merely believed to be, which raises the question for modern audiences of young people obsessed with identity and how we identify: To what extent do we truly define our identity, and how much of it is built on the definitions of others? Twain himself toys with this notion of identity: A series of footnotes, many from [a:David Hume|45726|David Hume|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357463369p2/45726.jpg]'s The History of England, indicate not only the level of historical accuracy, but even how plausible the completely made-up story is. With a nod toward [a:Jonathan Swift|1831|Jonathan Swift|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1183238507p2/1831.jpg]'s wry sense of humor and [a:Charles Dickens|239579|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387078070p2/239579.jpg]' fascination with the criminal element, this novel showcases Twain's range and eye for detail.
A case of mistaken identity leads to London street beggar Tom Canty trading places with his body double, Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales, hours before the latter ascends to become King Edward VI in January 1587. It has been adapted, retreaded and parodied many times throughout the last century, but most newer versions merely scratch the surface as a satire about class, while [a:Mark Twain|1244|Mark Twain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1322103868p2/1244.jpg]'s focus is much deeper. In a key misadventure, Edward encounters a hermit who is as convinced he is an archangel as Edward is that he is king, but the hermit is supposedly really insane, whereas Edward is merely believed to be, which raises the question for modern audiences of young people obsessed with identity and how we identify: To what extent do we truly define our identity, and how much of it is built on the definitions of others? Twain himself toys with this notion of identity: A series of footnotes, many from [a:David Hume|45726|David Hume|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357463369p2/45726.jpg]'s The History of England, indicate not only the level of historical accuracy, but even how plausible the completely made-up story is. With a nod toward [a:Jonathan Swift|1831|Jonathan Swift|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1183238507p2/1831.jpg]'s wry sense of humor and [a:Charles Dickens|239579|Charles Dickens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387078070p2/239579.jpg]' fascination with the criminal element, this novel showcases Twain's range and eye for detail.
lt7315's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
justinebt2114's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
carmenpeerezm's review against another edition
4.0
“ ¿Qué sabes tú de sufrimientos y de opresión? Yo y mi pueblo lo sabemos, pero no tú.”
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Lo he disfrutado muchísimo, además es de esos libros que tienen un final p-e-r-f-e-c-t-o.
Se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba en las partes históricas eso si, digamos que yo estaba más por la labor de saber que le estaba pasando a los niños que que llevaba puesto el conde nosecuantos. De todas formas el libro está muy bien escrito y ambientado.
Es más crudo de lo que pensaba, no se corta el autor si te tiene que contar una forma de castigo o una escena de pena de muerte, eso me sorprendió.
Y…aiii mis niños, que difícil es encariñarse de personajes en los clásicos pero en este caso me han enamorado los dos. Me parecen personajes muy bien construidos y con muchos matices, aunque mi favorito es el principito malcriado la verdad.
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Lo he disfrutado muchísimo, además es de esos libros que tienen un final p-e-r-f-e-c-t-o.
Se me hizo un poco cuesta arriba en las partes históricas eso si, digamos que yo estaba más por la labor de saber que le estaba pasando a los niños que que llevaba puesto el conde nosecuantos. De todas formas el libro está muy bien escrito y ambientado.
Es más crudo de lo que pensaba, no se corta el autor si te tiene que contar una forma de castigo o una escena de pena de muerte, eso me sorprendió.
Y…aiii mis niños, que difícil es encariñarse de personajes en los clásicos pero en este caso me han enamorado los dos. Me parecen personajes muy bien construidos y con muchos matices, aunque mi favorito es el principito malcriado la verdad.
paigedent's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
book_concierge's review
4.0
Book on CD narrated by Steve West.
Two boys born on the same day in very different circumstances meet and discover they each envy the other’s experiences. But only when they exchange clothes do they realize how identical they are in looks. So much so that Edward, Prince of Wales, is ejected from the palace as a beggar, while the pauper Tom Canty is accepted as the prince, despite their protests to the contrary.
This is a wonderful classic that explores the difference in class in 16th century England, and the ways that appearance effects how one is treated. Both boys learn much from their experience as “the other.” Tom learns that a life of luxury is not all it’s cracked up to be; he chafes against the restrictions on his movements, the requirements for certain study, the constant presence of servants and guardians. Edward learns first-hand of the harsh life of his poorest subjects: their reliance on begging, the unfairness of the legal system, the lack of opportunities to improve their lot.
Tom uses his new-found position to change some of the laws of the land. Edward learns the value of compassion and kindness. It’s a wonderful lesson in “walking in the other person’s shoes.”
One thing that was a little difficult, though was Twain’s use of 16th-century English: “Dost not know thy father, child?” is one fairly easy example, but much of the dialect used makes it that much more difficult for a reader to appreciate the story. Still, it’s worth the effort to persevere. And I would recommend listening to the audio.
There are many editions of this classic available. The hardcover text edition I used to supplement my listening was the Oxford Mark Twain with an introduction by Judith Martin and an afterword by Everett Emerson. It includes nearly 200 illustrations by Beverly R David and Ray Sapirstein. It’s really a physically beautiful book.
The audio edition I listened to was narrated by Steve West. He did a fine job. He has good pacing, and enough skill as a voice artist to differentiate the various characters.
Two boys born on the same day in very different circumstances meet and discover they each envy the other’s experiences. But only when they exchange clothes do they realize how identical they are in looks. So much so that Edward, Prince of Wales, is ejected from the palace as a beggar, while the pauper Tom Canty is accepted as the prince, despite their protests to the contrary.
This is a wonderful classic that explores the difference in class in 16th century England, and the ways that appearance effects how one is treated. Both boys learn much from their experience as “the other.” Tom learns that a life of luxury is not all it’s cracked up to be; he chafes against the restrictions on his movements, the requirements for certain study, the constant presence of servants and guardians. Edward learns first-hand of the harsh life of his poorest subjects: their reliance on begging, the unfairness of the legal system, the lack of opportunities to improve their lot.
Tom uses his new-found position to change some of the laws of the land. Edward learns the value of compassion and kindness. It’s a wonderful lesson in “walking in the other person’s shoes.”
One thing that was a little difficult, though was Twain’s use of 16th-century English: “Dost not know thy father, child?” is one fairly easy example, but much of the dialect used makes it that much more difficult for a reader to appreciate the story. Still, it’s worth the effort to persevere. And I would recommend listening to the audio.
There are many editions of this classic available. The hardcover text edition I used to supplement my listening was the Oxford Mark Twain with an introduction by Judith Martin and an afterword by Everett Emerson. It includes nearly 200 illustrations by Beverly R David and Ray Sapirstein. It’s really a physically beautiful book.
The audio edition I listened to was narrated by Steve West. He did a fine job. He has good pacing, and enough skill as a voice artist to differentiate the various characters.