Book summary

In Twain's 1889 satire/fantasy, Hank Morgan, a Hartford factory worker, after a blow to the head, finds himself transported to sixth-century England, where his knowledge of the scientific advances of the 19th century convince Arthur and his knights that he has magical powers. His attempts to introduce advanced technology lead to disaster. Twain's book infuriated his British readers because of the anti-monarchy opinions of its hero; it was true that Twain did have a somewhat vengeful motive for the novel after an article was published by the eminent English poet and critic Matthew Arnold that savaged the memoirs of President Grant, which Twain had published. The novel was also suggested, Twain said, by a dream he had "of being a knight errant in armor in the middle ages."

Media reviews

"The ungentle laws and customs touched upon in this tale are historical, and the episodes which are used to illustrate them are also historical. It is not pretended that these laws and customs existed in England in the sixth century; no, it is only pretended that inasmuch as they existed in the English and other civilizations of far later times, it is safe to consider that it is no libel upon the sixth century to suppose them to have been in practice in that day also. One is quite justified in inferring that whatever one of these laws or customs was lacking in that remote time, its place was competently filled by a worse one."

  "the best book i ever read

"

Add your review of this book >