About the book
At the beginning of Pudd'nhead Wilson a young slave woman, fearing for her infant's son's life, exchanges her light-skinned child with her master's. From this rather simple premise Mark Twain fashioned one of his most entertaining, funny, yet biting novels. On its surface, Pudd'nhead Wilson possesses all the elements of an engrossing nineteenth-century mystery: reversed identities, a horrible crime, an eccentric detective, a suspenseful courtroom drama, and a surprising, unusual solution. Yet it is not a mystery novel. Seething with the undercurrents of antebellum southern culture, the book is a savage indictment in which the real criminal is society, and racial prejudice and slavery are the crimes. Written in 1894, Pudd'nhead Wilson glistens with characteristic Twain humor, with suspense, and with pointed irony: a gem among the author's later works.
Editions of Pudd'nhead Wilson
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781101873113
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780553211580
- EBook
- ISBN 9780553901955
- Audiobook
- ISBN 9780736638708
Read an Excerpt
At the beginning of Pudd'nhead Wilson a young slave woman, fearing for her infant's son's life, exchanges her light-skinned child with her master's. From this rather simple premise Mark Twain fashioned one of his most entertaining, funny, yet biting novels. On its surface, Pudd'nhead Wilson possesses all the elements of an engrossing nineteenth-century mystery: reversed identities, a horrible crime, an eccentric detective, a suspenseful courtroom drama, and a surprising, unusual solution. Yet it is not a mystery novel. Seething with the undercurrents of antebellum southern culture, the book is a savage indictment in which the real criminal is society, and racial prejudice and slavery are the crimes. Written in 1894, Pudd'nhead Wilson glistens with characteristic Twain humor, with suspense, and with pointed irony: a gem among the author's later works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pudd'nhead Wilson about?
At the beginning of Pudd'nhead Wilson a young slave woman, fearing for her infant's son's life, exchanges her light-skinned child with her master's. From this rather simple premise Mark Twain fashioned one of his most entertaining, funny, yet biting novels. On its surface, Pudd'nhead Wilson possesses all the elements of an engrossing nineteenth-century mystery: reversed identities, a horrible crime, an eccentric detective, a suspenseful courtroom drama, and a surprising, unusual solution. Yet it is not a mystery novel. Seething with the undercurrents of antebellum southern culture, the book is a savage indictment in which the real criminal is society, and racial prejudice and slavery are the crimes. Written in 1894, Pudd'nhead Wilson glistens with characteristic Twain humor, with suspense, and with pointed irony: a gem among the author's later works.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Pudd'nhead Wilson?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Classic fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of Pudd'nhead Wilson?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781101873113
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Pudd'nhead Wilson?
Mark Twain
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Pudd'nhead Wilson is available as paperback(ISBN 9781101873113) and paperback(ISBN 9780553211580) and ebook(ISBN 9780553901955) and audiobook(ISBN 9780736638708)
Where can I buy Pudd'nhead Wilson online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Pudd'nhead Wilson?