The Prince and the Pauper  is a novel by American author Mark Twain.

(Frankly, I find it interesting that Russians were aware of Mark Twain and admired him enough to want their children exposed to his works. I’ve always considered Mark Twain to be the epitome of Americana in literature, sort of the Norman Rockwell of novelists.
– Indy)

It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain’s first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547, it tells the story of two young boys who are identical in appearance: Tom Canty, a pauper who lives with his abusive father and Prince Edward, son of King Henry VIII.