Mark Twain's first foray into historical fantasy is a witty and satirical tale of switched identities. Tom is a beggar in 16th-century England. A chance meeting with Edward, the crown prince, results in an instant friendship and a wild scheme. The two boys, almost identical in appearance, decide to take each other's place in society. The escapade that follows opens the eyes of both the prince and the pauper. But when the situation threatens to spiral out of control, will they be able to get back to the lives they knew? A thrilling adventure peppered with sharp criticism of class inequalities, The Prince and the Pauper has inspired countless imitators but remains an unmissable original.