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A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court


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The tale begins when the "yankee," a skilled mechanic in a 19th century New England arms factory, is struck on the head during a quarrel, and awakens to find himself being taken as a prisoner to the Camelot of 528 A. D. With his 19th century know-how, the "yankee" sets out to modernize the Kingdom, but is opposed by a jealous court magician. Clever enough, but buried beneath Twain's humor is a serious social satire.

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Recent Forum Posts on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court

Magic Book

I've read this book numbers of times and I was always confused by its peculiar ending. The yankee turnes England into a confused but modernised country, but he is demised by the medieval-religious leftovers which cannot be erased easily. Anyway, I strongly recommend the book because its humour and historical perspective.

Posted By P. Zsolt - Béla at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court || 1 Reply

No Subject

Although A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is an engaging and amusing book, I really hate to finish it. I havge read it many times, but when I reach the last few chapters, I have to force myself to finish it. Twain did not research 6th century England very well, but still wrote well. This book switches moods more often than almost any other book I have ever read. I can laugh on one page, but on the next I almost want to cry. Until the last few pages, the book is infused with a strange hope: a hope for the future to become bright and "modern." However, a dark, depressing foreboding permeats the final chapters, leading to the horrific scene of mass destruction as the dead knight rot and kill everyone but the Boss. He finally dies, raving like a maniac.
I would recommend this book despite the dreadful ending because its satirical gaiety and delightful adventures charm and enchant the reader.

Posted By R. Ford at Tue 24 May 2005, 5:07 PM in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court || 1 Reply

No Subject

I loved this book so much. I read it in 11th grade and I could not put it down. I don't think that it's Mark Twain's best story, but it is definitely interesting. I would reccomend reading this book for pleasure.

Posted By Unregistered at Thu 17 Mar 2005, 4:12 PM in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court || 2 Replies

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