Other editions of book The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper tells the story of two young boys who are identical in appearance: Tom Canty, a pauper who lives with his abusive father in Offal Court off Pudding Lane in London, and Prince Edward, son of King Henry Viii. The prince wants to see something of real life, and the pauper longs to escape from the cruelty of his world. Through a quirk of fate, each boy is given the chance to glimpse the world through the other's eyes.

Tom Canty, a hopeful young pauper with an alcoholic and abusive father, has a chance encounter with the young Prince of Wales, Edward VI, outside of the palace. Discovering an uncanny resemblance to each other, the two boys switch clothes and lives—the prince heading for the streets of London while Tom remains at court. As each boy experiences life on the other end of the social scale, both learn valuable lessons about the roles they play in society and their corresponding responsibilities.Mark Twain's first attempt at historical fiction, The Prince and the Pauper has been adapted many times in multiple mediums since it was first published in 1881. The story has also become an archetypal inspiration for many similar "trading places" stories in which characters from different walks of life are moved by circumstances to experience others’ lives first hand.HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.