The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper is a novel written by Mark Twain and originally published in 1881 in Canada and in 1882 in the United States. This book is Twain's first work in historical fiction.

The novel takes place in the year 1547 and tells the story of two children who were born on the same day and are apparently identical, but in very different environments and circumstances. One of the boys is Tom Canty, a poor boy who lives with his alcoholic father in London; the other is Edward VI of England, son of King Henry VIII of England.

One day Tom, guided by his dreams, moves away from the city of London and, passing through the palaces of rich people, finally arrives at Westminster where he sees Edward playing on the other side of a fence. When he sees a soldier pushing Tom away from the gate, the prince rebukes him and invites Tom into his palace. Both begin to know each other and tell about their life and both are fascinated by each other's lives: Tom is impressed by Edward's luxury and wealth, and the prince by Tom's freedom.

And because they are so similar physically, they decide to exchange clothes and experience each other's life...

In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name of Canty, who did not want him. On the same day another English child was born to a rich family of the name of Tudor, who did want him. All England wanted him too; England had so longed for him, and hoped for him, and prayed God for him, that, now that he was really come, the people went nearly mad for joy.

This book is illustrated with original drawings.