A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is both a whimsical fantasy and a social satire chock-full of brilliant Twainisms. Hank Morgan, a nineteenth-century American—a Connecticut Yankee—by a stroke of fate is sent back into time to sixth-century England and ends up in Camelot and King Arthur's Court. Although of average intelligence, he finds himself with knowledge beyond any of those in the sixth century, and he uses it to become the king's right hand man and to challenge Merlin as the court magician. Astounded at the way of life in Camelot, Hank does the only thing he can think of to do: change them. In his attempt to civilize medieval Camelot, he experiences many challenges and misadventures.
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" First and let me make this perfectly clear A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is my favorite all time book!!! The reader Mr. Dufris does an excellent job of narrating this work at just the right pace and cadence. The story itself of course comes from the imagination of America's greatest writer. What Shakespeare is to the English language Mark Twain is to American English. This edition of Twain's work follows the story to a T and doesn't play games with the story as so many other editions do. Especially as an audio book it stays true to the authors vision with no deviations. As a Twain lover I can't find the words to describe how incredibly funny I find this story no matter how many times I read it, listen to it or watch it as a movie. This is a work of comic genius and of great political and societal commentary. Mr. Dufris does an excellent dead pan performance allowing the listener be able to fully enjoy the story for itself and for all the funny sections of the story. Absurdity brings about unbelievable laughter erupts.In a nutshell that is the book into which all sorts of social commentary is woven about slavery, freedom, democracy vs, monarchy and the reader doesn't realize what is happening until the end of the story and the reader or listener gains knowledge over the subjects and ideas talked about in the book while having an adventure in history and laughter at the same time. It is all these elements combined just in the right mixture which makes this a book for the ages!! "
— Toledo (5 out of 5 stars)
Dufris's enthusiastic narration is perfect; the deep drawl he produces might very well be the voice of Twain himself, and his pacing and comedic timing will delight listeners.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Audio Review" I read this book in school a long time ago but I remember that I loved it. It's a classic and everyone should read it. "
— Carey, 2/20/2014" I really liked this book. I had to read it for a class but was definitly creative. If you like Mark Twain, then you will probably like this book as well. "
— Darla, 2/19/2014" Okay, but Twain can do better. "
— Anne, 2/15/2014" It was a good book! The ending became a little redundant and it seemed like he was stretching just to finish the book. However, the very ending of the book was a shock. I definitely recommend reading this Twain novel! "
— Eleanor, 2/14/2014" A Mark Twain take on the Arthurian legend in a (barely) veiled reference/criticism of his society. I liked the writing and the wit (that he is known for admittedly) present in the book. It was a good look at the views of a 19th century american author and an interesting contrast to the currently held ones (his views of the 6th century in comparison to the 19th felt, at time, like a kettle calling a pot black to my 21st century eyes). "
— Andre, 2/13/2014" Mark Twain is still funny... humor is timeless. "
— Joey, 2/12/2014" painful at first. all old english. but it got more interesting towards the middle/end. "
— Jessy, 2/11/2014" No surprise, Mark Twain has made another good book! The Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a great novel about a man who travels back in time to King Arthur's Court. The book is laced with numerous satirical pieces and witty ideas that characterize most of Mark Twain's works. "
— Nathan, 2/11/2014" It is amazing how contemporary Mark Twain sounds. His dry wit and phrasing don't seem a bit dated and he is a master of satire as this book so aptly shows. "
— Andy, 2/11/2014" I may be remembering this wrong, but this was the book that started me on my long-time love affair with Mark Twain. "
— Logan, 2/11/2014" I suppose Twain was trying to be clever, but it just seemed kind of dumb to me. "
— Richard, 2/9/2014" The general premise of the story sees a 19th C American transported to 6th C Britain, creating 'miracles' thru his superior understanding of science and engineering, and thereafter trying to remake society along modern lines. There are many jibes throughout at feudalism, superstition, and the Church then, as seen thru modern eyes. Generally light hearted reading, with many portions that made me chuckle, tho there are (few) serious moments throughout the book. The ending is a sad one, tho it is altogether so fantastical and overwrought that one does not feel the despair of so many deaths. And it was a nice touch for Merlin's magic to *finally* work. "
— Tin, 2/8/2014" I read 30% (per my Kindle) and found that for every paragraph that provided some interesting reading 4 or 5 others didn't get my attention. I like Mark Twain, having read and enjoyed 8 of his other works, not including the Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn adventures. This one just didn't measure up "
— John, 2/5/2014" Another one of the many books my father gave me to read, and that I consequently stole from him. "
— Valerie, 1/30/2014" OK Read in on two continents took it whilst travelling- Hard gong at times when Twain (Clemens) rambles on about how great the 'American way is' Could do with editing out the political stuff and make it a more readable adventure- some moments are well written and memorable "
— Stephen, 1/28/2014" i might have liked this better as the author not made so many bad references to my religion. Mark Twain had no scruples about writing his opinion right into his humor, "
— Gaile, 1/28/2014" It started of pretty good, but then the wizard Merlin came into the pic. I wasn't to big on the whole magic thing, And there wasn't enough good dialouge. "
— Meadow, 1/28/2014" Everything I heard said this was funny. It wasn't funny. It was just long. But I am not a Twain fan... "
— Dree, 1/25/2014" Not up to Huck, but an interesting premise, especially given the author's time. "
— Linda, 1/24/2014" This book was really interesting to me. I found some of it delightfully entertaining, like when the hero tries to explain to medieval peasants the laws of economics. The ending was really shocking though. It was an intersting commentary on industrialism. "
— Janelle, 1/19/2014" A lot of social commentary, but what else would you expect from Mr. Twain? Greatly entertaining, nonetheless. "
— Victor, 1/19/2014" I could not finish the book. I don't know whether I'm more disappointed in myself or Twain. "
— Francis, 1/16/2014" I read this aloud to my husband. He had read it in high school. I had never read it at all, but had seen some of the many movie adaptations of the story. The book itself is rich with ideas that never make it onto a movie screen, mainly denigrating the great institutions of slavery and the English class system. I found that the text didn't always make sense, for example the king passes for a slave in the right clothes. Twain was fighting hard for the idea that 'All men are created equal' and I admire that, but I also don't believe that a man who is king will be mistaken for someone who has been a slave their whole life. I loved reading this book and it fit into my interest on literature written between 1880 and 1920, before the advent of radio. "
— Mellen, 1/14/2014" I read this for summer reading for my freshman year. If I could've understood it, then it may have been a better book, but overall I didn't like it all that well. "
— Jordan, 1/12/2014" Loved the humor and the historical perspective "
— Robynn, 1/9/2014" Time travelling has always fascinated writers. Whenever you think of travelling to past, the picture that your mind conjures up is that of you in a strange land with strange men around you dressed weirdly staring at you. Even eating you up as they later turn out to be cannibals. This is the first book that I have come across in which the protagonist uses the knowledge of the future to be hero or magician or witch among the people. It was interesting and fascinating even though much of Mark Twain humor wasn't there. Heck! It's is a sci-fi and I know it! So I'm fine with Mark Twain getting a bit serious and brooding. "
— Dana, 1/8/2014" This book was gruesome and the main character was really unlikeable. However, Twain had some pretty interesting commentary on the times and there were some humorous parts. "
— Patricia, 1/8/2014" A truly beautiful read. The descriptions can get quite intense. The time traveling is quite sublime "
— Henry, 1/6/2014" I enjoyed this book - the concept of time travel is always intriguing when it is done well. "
— Barbz, 1/5/2014" Changed my rating because, while NOW me would give it four stars at best, THEN me was completely blown away and that has to count for something... "
— June, 1/4/2014" Knights, chivalry, and 19th century machinery. <3 <3 <3 "
— Jacky, 1/1/2014" Loved this when I was a kid! "
— Teddee, 12/29/2013" This book was really interesting to me. I found some of it delightfully entertaining, like when the hero tries to explain to medieval peasants the laws of economics. The ending was really shocking though. It was an intersting commentary on industrialism. "
— Janelle, 12/28/2013" It was okay, but a little sluggish. All the time it felt as though Twain wasn't as witty as he could be, as though he was held back. "
— Frank, 12/24/2013" I may be remembering this wrong, but this was the book that started me on my long-time love affair with Mark Twain. "
— Logan, 12/22/2013" Read this for the Classics book club on Ravelry. Much different than I'd anticipated. Darker and more biting. I did quite enjoy it, though. "
— Laura, 12/21/2013" I was not prepared for how depressing (and heavy handed) this was... He's a great writer & I even agreed with most of his views, but I was expecting something lighter. "
— Brooke, 12/21/2013" Reading this for English Class.....it's WAY better than Huckle Berry Finn, I mean it HAS A PLOT!!!! "
— Brianna, 12/20/2013" Twain skillfully points out why romanticizing the middle ages is silly. "
— Luke, 12/20/2013" I enjoy Mark Twain's writing, but this book was so laden with anti-Catholic bias and historically inaccurate attacks on the Church and on the society of the Middle Ages that I found it totally unpalatable. I was very disappointed - even disgusted - by this book. I didn't finish reading it. "
— Fr, 12/11/2013" Too long, contrived, Although it's a classic, I didn't like it. "
— Betty, 12/7/2013" I liked the twist on opinions on King Arthur's time period. Instead of making it seem to have been drenched in glory Twain showed how barbaric their ideals were. "
— Kate, 12/7/2013" This novel is very similar to reading Gulliver's Travels by Swift. Fun romp through history and fantasy. "
— Carly, 12/6/2013" Mark Twain's mastery of parody, social criticism, and knee-slapping comedy comes through clearly in this time-travel of the mind. Hello, Central! "
— Laurele, 12/5/2013" Parts of this read like a lesson in 19th Century Economic Theory. I guess I liked the Danny Kaye version too much to enjoy this book. "
— Mark, 12/5/2013" I'm 73 years old and had never read this classic until recently. Of course, I've seen the movie several times, and the movie barely scratched the surface. This is a great book and highly recommended. Twain is largely thought of as a humorist, but in my opinion, he was foremost a thinker. He explores many aspects of human behavior in this novel. A lot can be learned from it even though it has been over 100 years since Twain passed away. "
— Joel, 12/4/2013" Struggle with time travel and an evil Merlin, funny and satisfying "
— Jennifer, 12/4/2013" Twain got a bit bleak on technology later in life, and it shows in this rather bleak dystopian visit to the past... "
— Kim, 11/29/2013" Supercilious, from someone who felt out-classed in Europe. Humor does not appeal to anyone but an american. "
— Itala, 11/14/2013" Entertaining, but doesn't match current time travel stories for complexity. "
— Rick, 11/14/2013" I got my hands on this book as a 14 year old and loved it. You will too. My copy was a yellowing 1964 paperback :-) "
— Melinda, 11/13/2013" I didn't actually finish this book. It was really slow in my opinion. "
— Christy, 11/13/2013" I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I didn't read it until well into my twenties and I was not disappointed. The imagery was expected to be lovely, a talent of Twain's, but the political, psychological, and societal undertones were brilliant! The ending proved especially endearing. "
— Casi, 11/6/2013" Every kid who has ever dreamed of going back in time and changing the past with modern technology should read this book- knights on bicycles, "modern" economic debate, and absolutely hysterical Twain sarcasm all contribute to make this one of the best books I ever read. "
— Tyrell, 11/5/2013" I read this book in school a long time ago but I remember that I loved it. It's a classic and everyone should read it. "
— Carey, 10/30/2013" Like a lot of Twain's writing, this continues to have relevance, and continues and continues. "
— Anna, 10/29/2013" This is one of my favorite books--sarcastic and political "
— Chris, 10/28/2013" Twain's wit kept me laughing throughout all of the adventures in the story. His subtle humor and social commentary are timeless "
— Sara, 10/19/2013" Twain artfully controlled the tone of this book...having only seen the film version, imagine my surprise at the horrible turn of events the Yankee created in this fantasy King Arthur Court. I read this in the 60's, and it still makes me laugh and shiver. "
— Claudia, 10/8/2013" This story was terrific. I was, however, surprised by some of the tragic and violent moments. "
— Mark, 9/28/2013" This book was a very entertaining read. "
— Tricia, 9/21/2013" This is perhaps one of my top ten books. Great story as only Twain could write it. A must read! "
— David, 9/9/2013" Interesting story, but the diction was not very simple "
— Chris, 9/7/2013" A golden oldie- I always revisit yearly. Still makes me laugh. "
— Eli, 8/30/2013" Defiantly NOT a children's book. I liked how Dickens tied in Political Views in a fictional story. You could really tell where Dickens stood. Liked the book, but it wasn't my favorite. "
— Rebekah, 8/19/2013" I love this book! It's brilliant and hilarious. "
— Brandon, 8/4/2013" Not my favorite Mark Twain book. He seemed to have a "beef" against the British and wrote this to get it out. It was supposed to be funny, but didn't quite make it for me. "
— Laurie, 7/24/2013" i was very little and haven't read it since. but i liked it at the time. i'd like to read it again now that i've tried drugs. "
— sacha, 5/15/2013" Very entertaining, at times a little too far fetched, but very funny "
— Teri-lynn, 4/23/2013" This was like combining a Choose Your Own Adventure book (omg, weren't they the best!?) and "The Princess Bride." "
— Rachel, 2/19/2013" A real hoot! The Industrial Revolution goes to Camelot. "
— Christopher, 1/30/2013" One of the first science fiction books. "
— Mike, 1/1/2013" This was my second time around. Still can't stop laughing. Twain told it like it was. "
— Jonathan, 11/2/2012" A sad story. An interesting contrast to other stories about the knights of the round table. Also, interesting comparisons between the middle ages and American slavery. "
— Nathan, 11/1/2012" i might have liked this better as the author not made so many bad references to my religion. Mark Twain had no scruples about writing his opinion right into his humor, "
— Gaile, 9/29/2012" Twain's wit kept me laughing throughout all of the adventures in the story. His subtle humor and social commentary are timeless "
— Sara, 9/11/2012" Mark Twain AT HIS BEST. Instant masterpiece. "
— Marko, 8/8/2012" I really liked this book. I had to read it for a class but was definitly creative. If you like Mark Twain, then you will probably like this book as well. "
— Darla, 7/1/2012" I am a huge fan a Mark Twain. This book was extremely creative and whitty. I especially loved how Twain used informal american "slang" to make fun of the traditions and customs of "Old England." "
— Kami, 6/17/2012" Twain's fantasy received the Pocket Classics treatment with good redults. The story lends itself to illustration in part because the story has lots to illustrate, though the art coule be more sensitive to the story it tells. "
— Mike, 5/18/2012" I was probably too young when I read it, but it's a pretty good time travel type story and a social commentary too. "
— Keith, 5/16/2012" Loved loved loved it! I wanted to just KISS Mark Twain at some parts, it was really a great book. "
— Melanie, 5/9/2012" This was unique - time travel has always been around, I guess, but the Yankee was skilled with metals and introduced many "modern" items into the culture, and some of this was quite funny. "
— Sharon, 3/30/2012" A great book for a middle to advanced reader, will keep you entertained for a while. "
— Holly, 3/19/2012" I thought this book hilarious when I read it for shits and grins in high school. It's a harder read than I remember and not quite the knee slapper I recalled. "
— Ryan, 2/19/2012" It wasn't bad considering my extreme dislike of American Realism. No offense Mark Twain, it's not you, it's your style. "
— Meredith, 1/26/2012" A sad story. An interesting contrast to other stories about the knights of the round table. Also, interesting comparisons between the middle ages and American slavery. "
— Nathan, 1/26/2012" Excellent! What a supperb read from a supperb writer! Exciting, funny, heartwarming and so very sad; none compares to Mark Twain! "
— Amaya, 12/23/2011" Very fun, but strange book. Still haven't figured out for sure how he got there. "
— Mike, 12/14/2011" An entertaining novel on (involuntary) time travel. "
— Florin, 11/5/2011" Just re-read this classic from my youth (actually listened to the audiobook on a long trip). As good as I remembered it with eloquent lessons in economic and political theory as applicable today as when it was written. "
— Bob, 11/4/2011" One of my favorites. I have returned to this many times. "
— Robin, 9/12/2011" I read 30% (per my Kindle) and found that for every paragraph that provided some interesting reading 4 or 5 others didn't get my attention. I like Mark Twain, having read and enjoyed 8 of his other works, not including the Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn adventures. This one just didn't measure up "
— John, 9/11/2011" What a funny twist on clashing modern life with middle ages characters. Full review on One Librarian's Book Reviews. "
— melissa1lbr, 8/24/2011" This was a hilarious book, and the only Twain I've ever had any interest in reading. "
— Allison, 8/21/2011" Twain skillfully points out why romanticizing the middle ages is silly. "
— Luke, 7/11/2011" My least favorite of Twain's work so far. I was expecting it to be more light hearted. It also could have benefitted some editing, it seemed to ramble at times. "
— Kaia, 7/6/2011" this is a very funny book i liked it. "
— Basia, 6/5/2011" Just re-read this classic from my youth (actually listened to the audiobook on a long trip). As good as I remembered it with eloquent lessons in economic and political theory as applicable today as when it was written. "
— Bob, 6/5/2011" This was a fantastic book. It jumped from being gut-busting hilarious to a serious condemnation of issues that were current in the time it was written. I enjoyed this book as much as I have other works by Mark Twain. "
— Sam, 5/14/2011" Four stars for the first half, 2.5 for the rest. "
— David, 5/7/2011" A little jumbled, but fun nonetheless. A biting critique of Progress in every form. "
— Nick, 4/29/2011" This book was a good story and Mark Twain brought up good points on slavery and democracy versus monarchy that were important in his time. "
— Ben, 4/26/2011" Second time through in 9 months. I found it to be more interesting this time through as I was looking at it through the eyes of the American Realist. This gave more depth to the novel than I had previously seen. It is a classic for a reason, still not my favorite, but a classic. "
— Lori, 4/22/2011" This is one of my favorite books--sarcastic and political "
— Chris, 4/15/2011" Mark Twain is the great American author. And though Yankee is not the best of his books it certainly rates high on the list. For me, because it deals irreverently with one of my favorite mythologies, King Arthur and the Camelot legends, it is a double delight. "
— Jesse, 4/15/2011" mark twain is such a clever, fascinating kind of guy. he's written so much but for some reason this simple little novel remains my favorite of his. "
— Glenna, 4/14/2011" OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS BOOK.<br/><br/>THE SCENE WITH THE PIGS HOMFG. "
— Rarishes, 4/11/2011" It had some good moments, and some typical Twain chaos. All in all, I liked it. "
— Carrie, 4/8/2011" I liked this book, but it felt a bit schizophrenic in tone to me. "
— Sarah, 4/6/2011" Quite entertaining, found out about this after I've read the Conrad series. But the old english is a bit hard to get used to. "
— Joshua, 11/20/2010" Totally distracted by how excellent the writing was...wanted to highlight *everything*! "
— Teaberry, 7/15/2010" good adventure story but would probably have enjoyed it more if i read it first in middle school like everyone else. "
— De, 5/1/2010" Has this man ever written a bad book? "
— Greg, 5/18/2009" Twain is the paragon of American satirists, and this one's good for many laughs - his send-up of late 19th-century capitalism is spot-on, even at a remove of more than a century. "
— Jessica, 2/3/2009" I've tried twice to read this book, and haven't been able to get past the first few chapters. I'm sure it's a flaw on my part as a reader, and has nothing to do with our esteemed Mr. Clemens. "
— Connie, 8/16/2008" A great tale with so true facts! nowadays is totally valid the story, just we need to change the people! "
— Andres, 6/21/2008" The Twain tale that pleases me most. It may not be as good as Huckleberry Finn for all the lit buffs out there, but it's just as exciting. And, most of all, for me, it promotes socialism! "
— Krista, 5/8/2006" I wanted to love this book, but the reader of the audiobook version made it tough to listen to. His voice made so much of it seem boring even when describing all the funny situations. "
— Brendon, 9/4/2005" I listened to this one on CDs and enjoyed it so much (more than when I studied it as am undergrad student). This time I really understood the comedic satire and the pathos, which I'd been touched by the first time I read it, was just as poignant as before. This is a really great book! "
— Evalyn, 8/30/2005" boring. I could hardly stand it. When the mp3 file I was listening to went blank 60% of the way through I said a prayer of thanks that I didn't need to struggle through the rest of it. "
— Scott, 6/26/2005" Interesting. What I liked best about it was learning how different,, practical, things can be accomplished. "
— CC, 8/27/2003" Cute. Predictable but pretty unique. Worth a read just because it is by Twain. "
— Penni, 1/4/2003Mark Twain, pseudonym of Samuel L. Clemens (1835–1910), was born in Florida, Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal on the west bank of the Mississippi River. He attended school briefly and then at age thirteen became a full-time apprentice to a local printer. When his older brother Orion established the Hannibal Journal, Samuel became a compositor for that paper and then, for a time, an itinerant printer. With a commission to write comic travel letters, he traveled down the Mississippi. Smitten with the riverboat life, he signed on as an apprentice to a steamboat pilot. After 1859, he became a licensed pilot, but two years later the Civil War put an end to the steam-boat traffic.
In 1861, he and his brother traveled to the Nevada Territory where Samuel became a writer for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise, and there, on February 3, 1863, he signed a humorous account with the pseudonym Mark Twain. The name was a river man’s term for water “two fathoms deep” and thus just barely safe for navigation.
In 1870 Twain married and moved with his wife to Hartford, Connecticut. He became a highly successful lecturer in the United States and England, and he continued to write.
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.