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annapox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Religious bigotry
thatgirlinblack's review against another edition
4.0
It started out as an innocent amusement, but it went on to have national ramifications.
Edward, Prince of England and heir to the throne. Tom Canty, beggar boy of London. Edward, having pity on the poor, dirty, abused Tom, takes him into the palace for some food and rest. While there, the boys discover that they both long for a taste of the other's life, and decide to switch clothes to achieve that, if only for a little while. Events move so fast that Edward finds himself living the rough, dirty, miserable life of a London beggar, and Tom finds himself living the comfy, luxurious, pampered life of the Crown Prince of England.
Edward, flustered and maltreated by the coarse life of the streets, comes to know Tom's family—the drunk, brutal father, the kind, suffering mother, the two timid older sisters, and the malicious grandmother. Escaping from them one day, he embarks on a journey back to the palace to reclaim his rightful place.
Tom, honest and plain, slowly adjusts to life in the palace as King Henry VIII's son. He's astonished by the finery around him and the servants who do everything for him. His unfamiliarity with procedure is put down to temporary madness, and politely dealt with. He gets to know the lords and ladies whom it's assumed he's been around all his life, starts tutoring lessons (and is extremely thankful for the kindly priest who started his education while he was a beggar), is instructed in court etiquette and politics, and generally learns to play the part of a prince excellently. Slowly, he begins to forget his old life and bask in this new one, even hoping that Edward will not return.
In Edward's travels through England, he meets vagabond Miles, who becomes his protector. The two witness such atrocities in their travels through England that Edward is appalled. Cruelty toward prisoners, brutality among outcasts and outlaws, animosity toward the king, corruption in the government, and more are rife. He becomes even more adamant to get home and fix things.
The situation becomes more complicated when King Henry dies and Tom is crowned king. He is as shocked as Edward was at the way the government deals with lawbreakers, actual and accused. His dealing out of true justice and mercy surprises the kingdom.
But once Edward gets home, that's not the end. Two claimants to the throne is a serious matter. Edward insists he is king, and Tom backs him up, but that is put down to his former madness. With the whole court against them, can two boys set this national crisis right?
Edward, Prince of England and heir to the throne. Tom Canty, beggar boy of London. Edward, having pity on the poor, dirty, abused Tom, takes him into the palace for some food and rest. While there, the boys discover that they both long for a taste of the other's life, and decide to switch clothes to achieve that, if only for a little while. Events move so fast that Edward finds himself living the rough, dirty, miserable life of a London beggar, and Tom finds himself living the comfy, luxurious, pampered life of the Crown Prince of England.
Edward, flustered and maltreated by the coarse life of the streets, comes to know Tom's family—the drunk, brutal father, the kind, suffering mother, the two timid older sisters, and the malicious grandmother. Escaping from them one day, he embarks on a journey back to the palace to reclaim his rightful place.
Tom, honest and plain, slowly adjusts to life in the palace as King Henry VIII's son. He's astonished by the finery around him and the servants who do everything for him. His unfamiliarity with procedure is put down to temporary madness, and politely dealt with. He gets to know the lords and ladies whom it's assumed he's been around all his life, starts tutoring lessons (and is extremely thankful for the kindly priest who started his education while he was a beggar), is instructed in court etiquette and politics, and generally learns to play the part of a prince excellently. Slowly, he begins to forget his old life and bask in this new one, even hoping that Edward will not return.
In Edward's travels through England, he meets vagabond Miles, who becomes his protector. The two witness such atrocities in their travels through England that Edward is appalled. Cruelty toward prisoners, brutality among outcasts and outlaws, animosity toward the king, corruption in the government, and more are rife. He becomes even more adamant to get home and fix things.
The situation becomes more complicated when King Henry dies and Tom is crowned king. He is as shocked as Edward was at the way the government deals with lawbreakers, actual and accused. His dealing out of true justice and mercy surprises the kingdom.
But once Edward gets home, that's not the end. Two claimants to the throne is a serious matter. Edward insists he is king, and Tom backs him up, but that is put down to his former madness. With the whole court against them, can two boys set this national crisis right?
vicncx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Halfway through this I realised this is what Barbie Princess and the Pauper is based off
meganlaurenp_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
mariana_ag1997's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vhenderson93's review against another edition
5.0
This book is truly a classic that I think everyone should read. The Prince and the Pauper is full of history, humor, adventure, and courage and friendship. My favorite part of the entire book has to be when Miles, my apologizes, Sir Miles, bluntly sits before the king to test if his thoughts are correct and the entire room is aghast! I love it! This is my second time reading this book and I can totally see myself reading it again.
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I have always loved retelling of The Prince and the Pauper, but this was my first time reading the tale by Twain. Writing dialogue in it at least close to how people spoke during the sixteenth century was a...choice. That historically accurate aspect is appreciated, but hearing it in the old style took some mental adjusting at first. Honestly, I expected more trouble to arise from the prince and the commoner switching places, but neither being believed by those around them is plausible. In an age with DNA testing and social media, I would be hard-pressed to buy into a modern, 21st century retelling. The switch of rich & poor lookalikes only seems to work up to a certain time period. Using a real, historical figure does add intrigue to this version, though.
I listened to the Blackstone Audio edition, which I recommend for the clear narration.
I listened to the Blackstone Audio edition, which I recommend for the clear narration.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death and Death of parent
jessko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.75
longtimewish's review against another edition
3.0
La primera mitad me resultó terriblemente densa y no podía leer más de un capítulo por día. No sé si en la segunda mitad hay algún cambio sustancial en la novela o qué pero la leí de un tirón en el mismo día y me terminó gustando. Una historia simpática y con moralejas nada sutiles, esta clásica ficción histórica de los Tudor cuenta la historia de dos niños, el príncipe Edward Tudor (que por cierto NO era Príncipe de Galés) y el mendigo Tom Canty. Por motivos de la trama son iguales e intercambian lugares por unos días en los que aprenden importantes lecciones. Una historia simpática, pero sufre de lo que yo llamo el Síndrome de las Adaptaciones: ha sido adaptada y parodiada tantas veces, de buenas y malas maneras, que la obra original no solo se siente repetitiva sino que también hasta inferior a sus distintas interpretaciones (imposible de superar la obra maestra cinematográfica que es Barbie en La princesa y la plebeya). De todos modos terminé disfrutándola, así que no fue una mala lectura.
PD: Mark Twain rompiendo la cuarta pared para recordarnos que Mary es la futura "Bloody Mary" y más adelante dejándola como una psicópata torturadora en UNA sola oración... I hate it here.
PD: Mark Twain rompiendo la cuarta pared para recordarnos que Mary es la futura "Bloody Mary" y más adelante dejándola como una psicópata torturadora en UNA sola oración... I hate it here.
enigmadame's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Glad to have read this (again?).