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ruth559's review against another edition
3.0
This was was easy to read and learned a little bit about this period in history. No matter how much I wanted to like it more, I just couldn’t! It just didn’t live up to the other reviews in my opinion. Nat was a likeable enough character, as were the other main characters but just for some reason I kept thinking, he’s not as cool as Tyrion from GOT
jodiesbookishposts's review against another edition
4.0
The Smallest Man
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley for honest review.
This was one I wanted to read as I have been getting more into historical fiction with the release of Hamnet and the premise interested me.
The story is fictional but inspired by a real life figure. The story follows Nat Davey who was bought by a wealthy man and given to the Queen of England to be her ‘personal dwarf’. It follows the story of his early years, to life and the palace and beyond in a time of upheaval in the British Monarchy.
It was a time period I knew very little about but the perspective of Nat was an interesting one as he straddled the worlds of royalty and the every day man. I felt like it made me want to read more of that time period.
The story focuses a lot of the nature of power, shifting power and loyalty. I’d say for people who liked the politics of Game of Thrones this would be a good read.
It just wasn’t a five star feel for me, there is nothing I have to complain about it. I liked it and the narrator of the audio did a fantastic job but it probably wouldn’t be one I would go back to.
Would recommend for fans of Hamnet or The Familiars.
I received an audiobook copy via NetGalley for honest review.
This was one I wanted to read as I have been getting more into historical fiction with the release of Hamnet and the premise interested me.
The story is fictional but inspired by a real life figure. The story follows Nat Davey who was bought by a wealthy man and given to the Queen of England to be her ‘personal dwarf’. It follows the story of his early years, to life and the palace and beyond in a time of upheaval in the British Monarchy.
It was a time period I knew very little about but the perspective of Nat was an interesting one as he straddled the worlds of royalty and the every day man. I felt like it made me want to read more of that time period.
The story focuses a lot of the nature of power, shifting power and loyalty. I’d say for people who liked the politics of Game of Thrones this would be a good read.
It just wasn’t a five star feel for me, there is nothing I have to complain about it. I liked it and the narrator of the audio did a fantastic job but it probably wouldn’t be one I would go back to.
Would recommend for fans of Hamnet or The Familiars.
margaret21's review against another edition
4.0
This story is based on, though in no sense a biography of Jeffrey Hudson, dwarf in the court of Charles 1. This is a charming tale, telling the rags-to-riches story of Nat Davy, who avoids being sold a s a fairground attraction when his father, who wants rid of him, gets a better offer. Intelligent, witty and a quick thinker, Nat becomes the unhappy queen's confidante. But Stuart England is a hotbed of political and religious discontent, and Nat is soon at the heart of the action, and doesn't always make the best choices. An enjoyable, immersive and-despite the weighty matters of the period - ultimately quite a light and easy to read book. An impressive debut from Frances Quinn.
lkagain's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cometlovescupid's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emma_therabbithole's review
4.0
I raced to read this after loving That Bonesetter Woman, and loving it.
The Smallest Man tells the story of Nat Davey, the country’s smallest man, who ends up being a favourite to the queen at a turbulent time in history as the civil war rages.
Whilst I didn’t love this quite as much as That Bonesetter Woman, it was still a wonderful story that I enjoyed very much and Frances Quinn has cemented herself as an auto buy for the future for me!
The Smallest Man tells the story of Nat Davey, the country’s smallest man, who ends up being a favourite to the queen at a turbulent time in history as the civil war rages.
Whilst I didn’t love this quite as much as That Bonesetter Woman, it was still a wonderful story that I enjoyed very much and Frances Quinn has cemented herself as an auto buy for the future for me!
saga_medievalist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aunticles's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Very accessible historical fiction, covering a fascinating period. Excellent characterisation. The plot moves quickly at times but loses momentum when Nat leaves England. While I loved Arabella as a character, I found the love story rather irritating with all the back and forth of Nat's doubts when it was quite obvious they would end up together. I would have preferred to see their relationship grow and how they coped with the difficulties they faced as a couple both due to the war and to how Nat was perceived A fun and easy read. Looking forward to reading her new book That Bonesetter Woman.
katalinareads's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0