Pudd'nhead Wilson and Those Extraordinary Twins (Broadview Editions)

This is classic Twain. It is hilarious. If you want some entertaining reading, this is a great choice for a medium length introduction to Mark Twain. The "negro dialect" is easy to read once you get the hang of it. You do need to get past the use of the "n word" though as in many of the writings from that period. The almanac quotes keep you waiting for the next ones.

A fantastical story about a switching of children who belong to different racial hierarchy as a mystery builds up over time. Unbelievable insight from Twain who lacks the ideology of a backwards time.

A small town populated by backward southerners are proved wrong in their assumptions regarding a newcomer and his peculiar hobbies. Wonderful skill on Twain 's part in spinning an engrossing tale for his readers.

A small town populated by backward southerners are proved wrong in their assumptions regarding a newcomer and his peculiar hobbies. Wonderful skill on Twain 's part in spinning an engrossing tale for his readers.

Excellent book, though mean-spirited folks might misconstrue it. Will be hard to teach at school because it is not PC, which is a shame because the book reflects the attitudes of the time it was written, and is broadminded and thought provoking.

Mark Twain is immensely witty and entertaining. He plays the reader of The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson like a violin. The subtle plot twists and turns are surreptitiously gripping. A fine story raised to excellence by Mark Twain's engaging style!

Really enjoyed the narration with the different voices. This was a book club pick. I did have a hard time getting into it at first, but found it quite interesting once I gave a little time to it. Loved the end!

I really liked this. True to his craft Twain wrote much of it in a "tongue in cheek" tone. The earlier part of the story, I thought, was more engrossing than the latter, but still I enjoyed it to the end.

My review isn't impartial because I love anything written by Twain unconditionally. However, I truly believe the book is a fascinating insight into the subject of race relations in nineteenth century and who knew that fingerprinting was available then?

Filled with humor with just enough mystery and family shenanigans thrown in to make it still relevant. Even if you've never lived in a small town or the south, there is so much most people can relate to- everything from backyard gossip, to mothers wanting to protect their children, to rudimentary forensic evidence. One of my all time Mark Twain favorites.

Puddnhead Wilson is totally engaging and so fun to read aloud. Twain takes the reader to the south where in a little town, the question of slavery and equality is taken to new heights. It is funny, thought-provoking and in the end justice is served. Twain at his best but for me it was mostly entertaining and full of jargon and challenging vocabulary.