In 1894, while enduring a period of personal turbulence, Mark Twain penned this fascinating tale set in the idyllic river community of his childhood. Alternating between comedy and tragedy, irony and gravity, Pudd'nhead Wilson mirrors much of the social and moral unrest of the time. When a mulatto slave woman switches her own infant with the look-alike son of a wealthy merchant, it takes Pudd'nhead Wilson, the town eccentric, to put things right again.
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"Back in college when I was an English Literature major I was surprised to find that Mark Twain at the end of his career was a bitter, pessimistic moralist when I read The Mysterious Stranger. But I see this version of Twain in Puddn'head Wilson (1894) as well. I was inspired to read this after reading Paul Theroux's descriptions of it in his book The Old Patagonia Express. It is an interesting novel that has comedic elements, twins separated at birth, as well as those well-suited to a murder mystery: courtroom procedural solving the murder with a stolen dagger. But there's a dark undercurrent present as well that asks about the questions of nature vs. nurture in relation to man's wickedness-which can easily be seen in the institution of slavery and Tom's heartless self-interested behavior in the novel. There is an interesting introduction from Malcolm Bradbury. It is a flawed novel, however, it is also a compelling one as well."
— Patrick (4 out of 5 stars)
" Pudd'nhead Wilson books are my favorite Mark Twain stories! "
— Kimberly, 2/20/2014" A more serious novel about two boys--one who is white and the other who has just a drop of slave blood--who are switched by their caretaker when they are just babies. So, is the savegry of slavery in the blood or is it environmental? I wouldn't want to ruin it for you... "
— Nitanews, 2/18/2014" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 2/17/2014" A bizzare mystery, and not the sort of thing you would expect from Mark Twain. It still had his expected satiric voice, but it wasn't quite as humorous as his more popular works. The plot is sort of like Prince and the Pauper, only it's set in the south, and the class division is black and white, as opposed to rich and poor. "
— Eric, 2/17/2014" There really is a reason that some authors are famous. Mark Twain is an amazing writer. Reading sometimes feels like such a luxury. "
— Katie, 2/16/2014" well, i pretty much love mark twain. this book is so amazing. it basically shows people how idiotic they are for not trusting the "new" procedure of fingerprinting. i won't tell you more; read it, it's amazing! "
— Rachel, 2/15/2014" It was fine. It was Twain. I got bored with the chicanery and moved on to other books. "
— Ben, 2/12/2014" Not quite a typical Twain book of humorous satire. This one is more of a social awareness of slavery and reconstruction. "
— Jane, 2/10/2014" It was comical and suspenseful and very interesting because Mark Twain didn't live this life he wrote about. How could a white man write the emotions of a slave...even a free one. A kaliedoscopic view into white priviledge and all its trappings. "
— Kathie, 2/10/2014" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 2/10/2014" Racism, murder, identity theft... What's not to love? "
— Carrie, 2/10/2014" Read for school- not too bad. The story is short and although the dialect can be hard to understand at times, it's an easy book that brings up questions centered around 'nature vs. nurture' and 'what determines race?' "
— Sam, 2/6/2014" Read for 9th grade summer reading "
— Erin, 2/3/2014" I had a hard time starting this book for some reason. But once I read Corinne's review I decided to hang in with it and I'm really glad I did. I really enjoyed this book. I think I enjoyed reading about what Twain's original storyline was going to be (found at the end of the book) as much as the story it ended up being. "
— Tiffany, 1/22/2014" I never realized how awesome a writer Twain was until I finished this novel. "
— Avery, 1/21/2014" I really enjoyed this story. Crazy how life was back then. I usually don't like old classic books because of the writing style and vocabulary but I really enjoyed this book. "
— Erica, 1/19/2014" I prefer Pudd'nhead Wilson to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The idea of the slaveowner's son and the slave's son switched as babies is rich ground. However, I think that Pudd'nhead Wilson feels incomplete, that the story had only just begun when it abruptly ended. Rather than have it end on its ironic and tragic endnote, I think Mark Twain could have written a much more intriguing story by either fleshing out the characters who are virtually ignored--for example, the true Tom Driscoll who lived his life as the slave, Chambers--or by continuing the story where it ends. I want to know what happens to these characters after their lives have been upended. And what about the other relationships? What kind of relationship does Roxy have with the false Chambers? Why is it easy for her to go off and work on the riverboats and leave the son she raised as her own? And why's it called Pudd'nhead Wilson when he's barely a character in the story until the end? I think Mark Twain took the easy way out, but there is still a lot of pith to this story--Roxana being the most well-written character, a black slave who gives up her son so he will never be sold down the river; the false Tom, a slave switched as a baby to be raised as the master's white son, overindulged and privileged, he becomes a thief and a murderer, and David Wilson's interest in fingerprinting makes for a dramatic courtroom scene. "
— Kristine, 1/15/2014" Even though I'm not typically a fan of American Literature from this time period, I actually thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. "
— Becca, 1/14/2014" This was an interesting story. I liked it but some was hard to read because of the wording. Once you get used to it it wasn't bad. I think this has got to be one of the earliest stories that I have read that reference fingerprints. It was a quick read. "
— Lori, 1/14/2014" It's more of 3.5 stars. I love Mark Twain's writing - it revealed to me why his books are part of classic literature. I had only read Huckleberry Finn and remembered the impact of reading that book in high school. I loved the premise of this story where a slave woman (who looks white but because she's 1/16th black, she's automatically a slave) decides to switch her white-looking baby with the son of her master. It follows the story of her son and one character nicknamed Puddin'head Wilson and the trajectory they take, particularly when Italian twins come into the town called Dawson's Landing. Intrigued already? It's a great read! "
— Katherine, 1/14/2014" Twain really nails it, in this humorous tale of murder, scientific investigations, mistaken identity and racial classification. Twain highlights the absurdity of racial classifications; the story is sometimes uncomfortable, but much of that comes from the characters' own acceptance of their society's stereotypes, which Twain does a lot to explode. "
— Catherine, 1/13/2014" This is one of the first in Twain's so-called "pessimistic period." I still haven't decided whether I like his light zingers or his brooding gibes better. "
— Jess, 1/11/2014" This book is all about names and naming! Going to be a key text in my dissertation! Awe...Pudd'nhead! "
— Becky, 1/10/2014" A bit slow...interesting to have read, but tough going. Interesting to compare Twain's take on slavery / white-black relations here (he kind of brings up the issues, but avoids addressing them) to Huck Finn. "
— Pam, 1/6/2014" Very strange offering from Twain. "
— Rachel, 1/6/2014" Apart from the humor and trenchant satire you always get with Mark Twain, this is a fun murder mystery with a twist and an interesting history lesson about the complicated, incomprehensible and hypocritical laws regarding race, the legally defined degrees thereof and slavery. "
— Jim, 1/4/2014" How can you trace CSI back to the days of Mark Twain? "
— Mary, 1/3/2014" If Tom Sawyer and hick Finn are 5 stars this has to be 3. "
— Casey, 1/1/2014" This was such a funny, delightful story. I loved Wilson's calendar entries. I must 'get' Twain's humor, I was chuckling to myself the whole read. "
— Jennifer, 12/31/2013" This is the last time I attempt to read a book on my phone. "
— Jaena, 12/26/2013" My Grandfather introduced me to this book and author. "
— Meg, 12/23/2013" Hilarious satire - loved Twain's writing "
— Anupama, 12/14/2013" Genius. Far better than Uncle Tom's Cabin. Biting social commentary. Funny. Funny. Funny. "
— Trunks, 12/8/2013" I really liked this story of mistaken identity, though I don't think it's Twain's best work. His characters are (as always) very memorable and entertaining, but the plot is a little predictable (even facile). Were we supposed to sympathize with "Tom"? With Roxy? "
— Jacques, 12/3/2013" It was very well written and very funny and a great example of irony! "
— Kathy, 11/30/2013" This book brings me way back. "Switched at Birth"- from a nineteenth century perspective. "
— Janet, 11/28/2013" Great books stolen from my father. "
— Valerie, 11/28/2013" I have not read Mark Twain in many years. Was a good (sarcasm abounds) read. "
— Susan, 11/25/2013" What do I have to do to get the Coen brothers to make a film of this book? "
— Finney, 9/26/2013" Entertaining, but not my favorite Twain. I had fun writing a paper about it. "
— Casey, 9/11/2013" Love this book. Far ahead of its time! "
— Jennifer, 6/17/2013" Good mystery, and also a good reflection of racism in the 1800s. Witty and wise plot. "
— Don, 3/6/2013" I'm reading this on kindle, which means I read it when I'm idling somewhere and have nothing else to do. I do love Mark Twain, though, and am thus far enjoying it very much. "
— Samantha, 2/27/2013" Not many authors can make me laugh out loud, but Mark Twain makes me laugh out loud. "
— David, 2/24/2013" A gentle, funny satire of racial stereotypes in rural antebellum Missouri. Two twins--one white, one 1/32 black (and therefore classified as "Negro"--are switched soon after birth and grow up as a member of the "other race." "
— John, 2/14/2013" I really love the way Mark Twain can weave a story. Some people say this book was one of the worst he's written, but I really liked it. The part of Those Extraordinary Twins was a little odd, but that's okay. "
— Jeane, 12/14/2012" I really enjoyed this story that opens up the "nature vs. nurture" debate. "
— Julie, 11/20/2012" My favorite Twain to teach. "
— Carissa, 11/13/2012" First time in forever that I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to se what happened next. I loved this book! "
— Lani, 10/10/2012" Oh, Mark Twain, you just always wear the hat of cleverness, don't you? "
— Akilah, 10/9/2012" pretty quick read that fits a lot into its short page length, including the first noted use of fingerprinting crime scene forensics in fictional literature. i particularly enjoyed the bits in vernacular "
— Nate, 9/25/2012" AS much fun as any new mystery "
— Joel, 9/19/2012" I have been retreading Twain this summer. always amazed at Twain's extraordinary talents. "
— Michaelwilliam, 9/15/2012" Flawless style, much wit, all to be expected of Twain. But the story took a twist that threw me off because it didn't seem to mesh with what had gone before. However, extremely original and entertaining, especially for being ahead of its time. "
— Carmen, 9/3/2012" My favorite Mark Twain book! "
— Moonyeen, 7/7/2012" Far from what I would consider a typical Mark Twain, this story was quite engaging. I enjoyed it very much. "
— Gerald, 6/16/2012" Quite possibly my favorite Twain fiction. I will make a script adaptation for the Coen Brothers someday. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed any of Twain's fictions or any of the Coen Brothers films (specifically Raising Arizona). "
— Annie, 6/10/2012" I read this for 11th Grade English. My favorite book that we read that year. "
— Reed, 2/6/2012" Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) my be the damn nearest thing to witty perfection. Obsessed with twins. "
— Candice, 1/26/2012" One of my all time favs,can't go wrong with Mark Twain. "
— Lily, 1/6/2012" I love and recommend everything by Twain, but I have only mentioned a few of my favorites on my Classics shelf. "
— Steven, 11/26/2011" This book was ok. I tend to think that Mark Twain is a long-winded author, and I often lose interest in his stories. "
— Jacob, 10/9/2011" This novel was my first experience with Twain and I'll admit, it took a while for me to feel comfortable. But I perservered and I'm glad I did. "
— Fred, 9/21/2011" If you like Irony...read this "
— Emily, 8/21/2011" I read this a long time ago, but I remember it being a good read. "
— Ike, 7/23/2011" An often over-looked short novel by Mark Twain. A very interesting commentary on race, visual markers of race, and culture. A short read that should be a classic. "
— Amy, 7/2/2011" Funny! I like the humor. "
— Jason, 6/26/2011" This is one of those books I just love with an unreasoning love. "
— Suzanne, 5/8/2011" This is one of those books I just love with an unreasoning love. "
— Suzanne, 5/8/2011" This is one of those books I just love with an unreasoning love. "
— Suzanne, 5/8/2011" This is one of those books I just love with an unreasoning love. "
— Suzanne, 5/8/2011" Pretty much everything from Pudd'nhead Wilson's calender is a memorable quote. I loved that about the book. Twain had a gift, there's no doubt about that. Surprisingly, he didn't keep my attention as well as expected though, so I only gave 3 stars. "
— Rosanna, 4/28/2011" Pretty much everything from Pudd'nhead Wilson's calender is a memorable quote. I loved that about the book. Twain had a gift, there's no doubt about that. Surprisingly, he didn't keep my attention as well as expected though, so I only gave 3 stars. "
— Rosanna, 4/28/2011" Pretty much everything from Pudd'nhead Wilson's calender is a memorable quote. I loved that about the book. Twain had a gift, there's no doubt about that. Surprisingly, he didn't keep my attention as well as expected though, so I only gave 3 stars. "
— Rosanna, 4/28/2011" Pretty much everything from Pudd'nhead Wilson's calender is a memorable quote. I loved that about the book. Twain had a gift, there's no doubt about that. Surprisingly, he didn't keep my attention as well as expected though, so I only gave 3 stars. "
— Rosanna, 4/28/2011" This was such a funny, delightful story. I loved Wilson's calendar entries. I must 'get' Twain's humor, I was chuckling to myself the whole read. "
— Jennifer, 4/25/2011" This was such a funny, delightful story. I loved Wilson's calendar entries. I must 'get' Twain's humor, I was chuckling to myself the whole read. "
— Jennifer, 4/25/2011" This was such a funny, delightful story. I loved Wilson's calendar entries. I must 'get' Twain's humor, I was chuckling to myself the whole read. "
— Jennifer, 4/25/2011" This was such a funny, delightful story. I loved Wilson's calendar entries. I must 'get' Twain's humor, I was chuckling to myself the whole read. "
— Jennifer, 4/25/2011" A short read, I enjoyed it thoroughly. As with any Twain novel there is a great story line imbued with social commentary. However, I particularly liked the mystery and the detective work by Pudd'nhead; using some new fangled things like fingerprints. "
— Jeffrey, 4/22/2011" A short read, I enjoyed it thoroughly. As with any Twain novel there is a great story line imbued with social commentary. However, I particularly liked the mystery and the detective work by Pudd'nhead; using some new fangled things like fingerprints. "
— Jeffrey, 4/22/2011" A short read, I enjoyed it thoroughly. As with any Twain novel there is a great story line imbued with social commentary. However, I particularly liked the mystery and the detective work by Pudd'nhead; using some new fangled things like fingerprints. "
— Jeffrey, 4/22/2011" A short read, I enjoyed it thoroughly. As with any Twain novel there is a great story line imbued with social commentary. However, I particularly liked the mystery and the detective work by Pudd'nhead; using some new fangled things like fingerprints. "
— Jeffrey, 4/22/2011" I liked Mark Twain when I was a child.... Boring as an adult. "
— Al, 4/20/2011" I liked Mark Twain when I was a child.... Boring as an adult. "
— Al, 4/20/2011" I liked Mark Twain when I was a child.... Boring as an adult. "
— Al, 4/20/2011" I liked Mark Twain when I was a child.... Boring as an adult. "
— Al, 4/20/2011" Mark Twain, you have a way with words--I'm in love. "
— Heather, 3/29/2011" Mark Twain, you have a way with words--I'm in love. "
— Heather, 3/29/2011" Mark Twain, you have a way with words--I'm in love. "
— Heather, 3/29/2011" Mark Twain, you have a way with words--I'm in love. "
— Heather, 3/29/2011" Excellent! Twain at his best. "
— Museborn, 3/26/2011" Excellent! Twain at his best. "
— Museborn, 3/26/2011" Even though I'm not typically a fan of American Literature from this time period, I actually thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. "
— Becca, 3/22/2011" Even though I'm not typically a fan of American Literature from this time period, I actually thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. "
— Becca, 3/22/2011" Even though I'm not typically a fan of American Literature from this time period, I actually thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. "
— Becca, 3/22/2011" Even though I'm not typically a fan of American Literature from this time period, I actually thouroughly enjoyed reading this book. "
— Becca, 3/22/2011" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 3/14/2011" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 3/14/2011" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 3/14/2011" Entertained me. Didn't astound. Something required for Twain heads. "
— Krista, 3/14/2011" Mark Twain weaves the sorrow of slavery with the idiocy of racism into an entertaining tall tale about one small town on the Mississippi river in the the 19th century. Hard to imagine that this makes a good book, but it does. "
— Greta, 3/10/2011" Mark Twain weaves the sorrow of slavery with the idiocy of racism into an entertaining tall tale about one small town on the Mississippi river in the the 19th century. Hard to imagine that this makes a good book, but it does. "
— Greta, 3/10/2011" Mark Twain weaves the sorrow of slavery with the idiocy of racism into an entertaining tall tale about one small town on the Mississippi river in the the 19th century. Hard to imagine that this makes a good book, but it does. "
— Greta, 3/10/2011" Mark Twain weaves the sorrow of slavery with the idiocy of racism into an entertaining tall tale about one small town on the Mississippi river in the the 19th century. Hard to imagine that this makes a good book, but it does. "
— Greta, 3/10/2011" I'm lovin' this book, have always loved Mr. Twain. "
— Taunya, 3/3/2011" I'm lovin' this book, have always loved Mr. Twain. "
— Taunya, 3/3/2011" I'm lovin' this book, have always loved Mr. Twain. "
— Taunya, 3/3/2011" I'm lovin' this book, have always loved Mr. Twain. "
— Taunya, 3/3/2011Mark 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.
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.