Date of Reading: 2/12/2020
Author: Frances Quinn
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: January 7, 2020
Rating: 4/5
(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)
About the book:
‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’
A compelling story perfect for fans of The Doll Factory, The Illumination of Ursula Flight and The Familiars.
My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.
The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.
They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.
Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England forever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.
Review:
If you search for the stories of Tudor queens, you may find an entire library. Sadly, the popularity of the Stuarts is nowhere near and needless to say this book took me by surprise. Poor old Charles is often ignored, so who cares about his French queen who has come to love England as her own home? Well, I don't think anyone can forget the name Henrietta Maria after this or Nat Davy for that matter.
A bird's eye view of the Caroline age through the eyes of the Queen's dwarf, that is what this story offers. Based on the life of Jeffrey Hudson, Frances Quinn creates a memorable tale filled with political intrigues, suspense and a touch of romance. She does take a fair bit of creative licence when it comes to Nat's story and I completely loved it. At least in this fictional world, Nat deserves a happy ending.
Sold by his father for eleven shillings, Nat finds a new home with the young queen who shares a similar fate in her political marriage with King Charles. Since his size limits his access to complex political scenarios, we don't get to know the king that much. Instead, Quinn focuses on Nat's life in the palace, the way he manoeuvres the insults directed against him, turning his disadvantage as a means to create a celebrated story.
From the very beginning we are pulled into this fast paced story growing with Nat, feeling his pain. My only complaint is regarding the abrupt ending which doesn't give us much details on the restoration. Still I am happy to know about Nat Davy. He must be the smallest man, but his courage and wisdom put many a tall man to shame.
Thank you Anne for the blog tour invite, I feel honoured to have the opportunity to read this amazing novel.
Meet the author:
Frances Quinn read English at Cambridge, and is a journalist and copy-editor. She completed the Curtis Brown Creative Course in 2015. The Smallest Man is her debut novel.
