Reviews

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

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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.

Content Warnings

jessko's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

4.75

longtimewish's review against another edition

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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.

enigmadame's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Glad to have read this (again?).

dtnorby's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mommy_mabel's review against another edition

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3.0

The Prince is supposed to be Edward II (Henry VIII's son / Elizabeth & Mary's brother). Classic Mark Twain fiction.

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