Name: The Smallest Man
ISBN: 9781004028566

Frances Quinn

Nat Davy is a dwarf. He is 10 years old, and all he wants is to be normal. After narrowly escaping being sold to the circus by his father, Nat is presented to Queen Henrietta Maria - in a pie. She's 15, trapped in a loveless marriage to King Charles I, and desperately homesick. Nat becomes a friend to the woman who'll become the power behind the throne and trigger the Civil War, but in the eyes of the world he's still a pet, a doll to be dressed up and shown off. Nat longs to ride and hunt like the other boys at court. The real boys. But he will never be accepted.

The Smallest Man

When should my story begin? Not when I was born, a butcher's son, in a tiny cottage just like all the other tiny cottages in Oakham. Who'd have thought then that I'd ever have much of a story to tell? Perhaps it starts when people began to nudge each other and stare as I walked with my mother to market, or the first time someone whispered that we were cursed. But I didn't know then. No, I think my story begins on the day of the Oakham Fair, in the year of 1625. When I was ten years old and I found out what I was. Nat Davy is a dwarf. He is 10 years old, and all he wants is to be normal. After narrowly escaping being sold to a freak show by his father, Nat is presented to Queen Henrietta Maria - in a pie. She's 15, trapped in a loveless marriage to King Charles I, and desperately homesick. Nat becomes a friend to the woman who'll become the power behind the throne and trigger the Civil War, but in the eyes of the world he's still a pet, a doll to be dressed up and shown off. Nat longs to ride and hunt like the other boys at court. The real boys. But he will never be accepted. Loosely based on a true story, this epic tale spans 20 years; during which the war begins, Nat and the queen go on the run, Nat saves the queen's life, falls in love with the most beautiful girl at court, kills a man, is kidnapped by pirates and sold to a harem in Morocco. Told from his unique perspective as the smallest man in England, with the clever and engaging voice of a boy turned man yearning for acceptance, this story takes us on an unforgettable journey. He's England's smallest man, but his story is anything but small.

Judy McClure

Enjoyable historical fiction with an engaging character in Nat Davey.

''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 for ever, 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. Praise for The Smallest Man: ''An enchanting tale about a small man with a big heart. Nat Davy is so charming that I couldn''t bear to put this book down. I loved it'' Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City ''A perfect fusion of history and invention. It''s so purposefully written, cuts right to the chase, galloping along. Nat''s wit and humour makes the poignancy of his story all the more powerful - The Smallest Man has the biggest heart'' Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy ''What a page-turner! A timely tale celebrating courage, determination and friendship, it serves as a warning against prejudice and superficial judgements'' Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones ''I absolutely loved it. It''s a rare thing to get a historical fiction that is wonderfully researched, pitch-perfectly voiced and unputdownable, but this is the real deal. A perfectly formed masterpiece. I raced through it'' C.S. Quinn, author of The Bastille Spy ''I loved this book - a fascinating tale of extraordinary accomplishment, and a story about how anything is possible and how love has always been a beacon of hope'' Phillip Schofield ''I adored Nat Davy''s witty narrative as his personal struggles and triumphs unfolded alongside the compelling events of a troubled court and a Queen in jeopardy. I found myself rooting for the Smallest Man in England from the very first page'' Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose ''Great memorable books are made by great, memorable characters. Frances Quinn''s Nat Davy is such a character. The Smallest Man is a beautiful, heartwarming tale, weaving history and fiction intricately and seamlessly. I was routing for Nat from the first page. Quinn shows us how a big heart and strength of character can lead anyone, perceived disability or not, to achieve great things, and that kindness and compassion are the most important of human qualities. I loved this book'' Louise Fein, author of People Like Us ''This book took me on an epic journey with a character that will always have a special place in my heart, I shall miss Nat Davy immensely!'' Emma Cooper, author of If I Could Say Goodbye ''Written with a wonderful lightness of touch, full of humour and humanity... An engaging, compelling, thought-provoking story of a life less ordinary'' Caroline Scott, author of The Photographer of the Lost ''A beguiling and well-written tale, whose mysterious protagonist is plucked from a famous painting; the carefully crafted historic context uncannily reflects contemporary politics'' Ellen Alpsten, author of Tsarina ''What a wonderful romp through such a turbulent period of history. I absolutely fell for the book''s narrator: an ebullient character whose voice and world view I adored'' Polly Crosby, author of The Illustrated Child

The Smallest Man

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