The Smallest Man by Frances Quinn is a historical novel loosely based on the real life court jester of Charles i wife, Henrietta. The book introduces Nat, a very small boy living in Rutland in the 1600s. Gradually it becomes clear that he has dwarfism but of course, in the 17th century this would not have been understood. As a result he is seen as a bit unnatural and not a lot of economic use to his family, even though he tries to be helpful in the fields, unsuccessfully. He also tries, with the help of his brother, to stretch himself to a normal length. His life changes dramatically when his father sells him to Charles I court as a plaything and companion to the Queen Henrietta, who at the time was 17 years old and feeling quite estranged from her older husband. Nat feels quite betrayed by his father selling him at the age of 12 and really feels homesick for his family, especially his mother and brother, Sam.

The bulk of the story follows Nat's adventures in the court, from the early days being dressed up and paraded about as the Queen's real life dress up doll, to the perilous times of the English Civil War, when Cromwell and the Parliamentarians threaten the life and existence of the monarchy and all who work for them. We see Nat gradually prove himself by learning to ride a horse, with the help of Jeremiah, his best friend in court, who is also afflicted with an excessively long body, to beat a court based bully in a race. We follow his burgeoning clandestine love of Arabella, also working for the Queen, although, as he has no confidence, he has no idea that she might actually care for him too.

The book is easy to read, with a simple, but effective narrative style and has a good pace and eventually, a happy ending, which is welcome in 2020 with so much doom and gloom in our lives. However, spoiler alert, it does not end well for the King! It is interesting to read about the life for people who do not fit the norm and have some challenges due to their stature, in the 17th century.

"The Smallest Man" by Frances Quinn is a really interesting historical novel set at the time of Charles I. You get to understand what was going on from the perspective of Nat Davey. England's smallest man and how the onset of civil war affected the royal family and their entourage..

Although inspired by the true story of Jeffrey Hudson, court dwarf to Queen Henrietta Maria, in her author’s note Frances Quinn emphasises that The Smallest Man is ‘a novel, not a fictionalized biography’ and that Nat Davy is a ‘figment of her imagination’. Oh, but what a wonderful figment of the imagination he is!

I defy anyone not to be moved by young Nat’s gradual realisation that he’s not like other boys, his attempts to make himself taller, or his desire to prove he can be just as useful on the family farm as his brother Sam. The revelation that, to certain members of his family, his only value is as a ‘freak’ is heart-breaking to witness.

Although in hindsight a lucky break, initially Nat’s time at Court sees him viewed merely as a plaything, just one more item of curiosity in a trophy cabinet, and a pawn in the power play between the Duke of Buckingham, Queen Henrietta Maria and King Charles. However, Nat’s keen intelligence means he’s soon alert to the politics, hypocrisy and hidden agenda that proliferate in the Royal Court. I loved seeing his empathy for the lonely and isolated Queen and his attempts to help counter those trying to weaken her influence on the King. And I’m sure I can’t be the only reader who was cheering Nat on as he takes steps, with the help of his friend Jeremiah, to face down the bullies who torment him.

Those who love to immerse themselves in the detail of historical events will particularly enjoy part two of the book in which Nat witnesses first-hand the ravages of the civil war and accompanies the Queen in her desperate attempts to obtain men and arms for the King’s cause. Along the way, Nat discovers that he is valued as a person, not just a plaything, and he is even able to use his stature to advantage.

In the final part of the book, as the reign of King Charles comes to its bloodthirsty end, the bonds of friendship are tested but emerge strengthened and the author gives Nat the possibility of a life he had always dismissed as a hopeless dream.

For me, the best historical fiction combines authentic period detail, a compelling story and characters who leap off the page, letting you experience life in earlier times through their eyes. The Smallest Man delivered on all those fronts as far as I was concerned. It’s a story about appreciating the loneliness of those regarded as ‘different’, treasuring the gift of friendship and looking beneath what is on the surface. Lessons that stand the test of time I think.

This is an entertaining read about a turbulent and interesting period of history leading up to the execution of Charles I. Written from the viewpoint of Nat Daley, a dwarf who became a Royal favourite, it is a simple tale of adventure and overcoming adversity. I loved the first third or so of the book, couldn’t wait to read more but I did find I wasn’t quite so engaged as the story went on. However, It is charming and interesting and a straightforward story.

I always love to learn about different characters in history, and this book has introduced me to such a character! The story of 'Nat' is based on the real life character Jeffrey Hudson, who found himself close to the royal action during the very turbulent times of the 17th Century. Using this character gave a really fascinating insight into that period of history and to get his perspective of the goings on at Court, obviously with some artistic licence!

But in creating the character of Nat, it also allowed the story to develop as seeing life through the eyes of someone who was 'different' from everyone else and was stared at from a very young age. This bought him to the attention of those with money, and coming from a very poor family, his father used this to his advantage to sell Nat to a wealthy family, who would then gift him to the new Queen as her 'toy'.

The Queen herself was very young and very new to society, so in Nat she found an ally and someone who could understand her feeling out of place. I think the story gives a really good lesson in how to love yourself just as you are and not to try and be someone else.

As the reign of King Charles I is show to be more and more rocky, I loved how the story showed the darker times for the Royal Family building up to 'that' moment in history that still shocks to this day.

I really enjoyed the way the story was written and allowed a different perspective to a momentous time in British history and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I enjoy fiction woven through fact, loving how an author’s imagination can flesh out the basics and draw us in, often taking us back through time to experience life in that historical era.

Nat Davy does exactly that. Through his narration, 1625 and the ensuing turbulent years come alive. As much as the story is about what is happening around him at court, Oakham, France, Holland and Scotland, I’ve also felt a part of his life experiences which lead him from innocence to humiliation, losing faith in himself and his epiphany.

The characters are interesting. Henry, Jeremiah, Sukie, brother Sam, Arabella, Crofts and of course King Charles and Queen Henrietta provide plenty of opportunities for different levels of relationships and all teach him something about life.

Court politics, subterfuge and the English Civil War are fabulous backdrops. There are more than a few tense moments! And a couple of times I punched the air with joy 🙂

My heart did ache for Nat, even when his actions sometimes sabotage himself. Being different is explored sensitively and with realism. I came to see him as the wounded healer when he uses his skills to help someone else. His thoughts and mindset are relevant today and I think give an insight into different perspectives. His story (although fiction) does have the power to inspire and uplift.

The wonder of reading is partly a spark of curiosity. As I was writing my review, Jeffrey Hudson’s (the inspiration for Nat and The Smallest Man) ‘believed to be’ cottage in Oakham was up for sale:

“This cottage is part of Oakham’s history believed to be the home of Tom Thumb, Dwarf Jester to King Charles 1 – real name Jeffrey Hudson. Jeffrey was reputed to have been presented to Queen Henrietta Maria served in a large pie & dressed in a miniature suit of armour! The good news is the house wasn’t built for little people & has now been sympathetically renovated.”

That last sentence made me chuckle.

(they appear to have their Tom Thumb’s mixed up though!)

The Smallest Man is an historical read that will open your heart and keep you entertained.

One for your bookshelf.

Inspired by true events during the reign of Charles I and Cromwell's takeover of the country, this is the story of Nat Davy, the smallest man in England. From a lowly country boy destined to become a fairground attraction, he finds himself at the royal court, as part of the queen's entourage. Well written, with a variety of characters that come to life on the pages, this is perfect for fans of historical fiction.

The novel was inspired by the life of Jeffrey Hudson, the court dwarf to Queen Henrietta Maria, Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland and the wife of Charles I. Now I will be honest, up until I picked this book up, I had never heard of Jeffrey Hudson but I was left inspired to look him up.

I think this is a really well researched story with great characters. I'm still not sure about the love story but it didn't detract anything for me. It really was very interesting but heartwarming at the same time!

The Smallest Man will be published January 7th with Simon & Schuster and is described as a ‘compelling story and perfect for fans of The Doll Factory and The Familiars’. The novel was inspired by the life of Jeffrey Hudson, the court dwarf to Queen Henrietta Maria, Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland and the wife of Charles I. Married at the tender age of fifteen in 1625, the Queen was openly despised by many for her Catholicism and her French ways. The King was heavily influenced by his court, in particular, the Duke of Buckingham, who held little respect for the new Queen. She was very much left to her own devices with just her ladies-in-waiting and a few pets to keep her company.

At the time, Charles I was facing discontent from members of Parliament. He very much believed in the Divine Right of the King but Parliament wanted more authority on the running of the country, resulting eventually in what we know as the English Civil War. Religious differences were rife among its people, England was facing some very difficult years ahead.

Nat Davy, a young boy of ten, lived in Oakham. Nat was a small person, a dwarf, but Nat didn’t know this at the time. He thought he just hadn’t grown yet. His mother protected him, telling him that his size would change as the years passed but Nat was beginning to wonder. When the fair came to town, Nat managed to gain access to a tent where there was a ‘faerie’ but, what happened next changed the course of his life forever. When the fair master saw him, he recognised Nat as someone who could draw a crowd at his fair and offered money to his father. His father initially considered this option but changed his mind when a better offer came along. Nat was sold for a few shillings, eventually finding himself in the court of the King and Queen of England. He left his home, his family and especially his mother with her advice in his ear that would remain with him in the tough years ahead – “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.“

Nat Davy became a confidant to the young Queen. Commonly referred to as the Queens Dwarf, Nat and the Queen were two outsiders. With only a few years between them, neither were accepted into the lives that had been chosen for them. Initially she dressed him up doll fashion to entertain and to be a plaything, but as time passed she got to know this young boy and a very unlikely friendship developed.

As civil unrest crossed the country, unnecessary death and destruction became part of the daily lives of a population. The Queen’s loyalty to the crown was questioned and seeds of doubt thrown the Kings way. Nat devised a plan for the Queen to be more accepted by the King but it wasn’t until after the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham in 1628, that the King finally realised the Queen for who she truly was. She was loyal, strong, fearless and determined. This young girl he had married had turned into a fighter, a woman of strength and passion. Charles I fell in love with his wife. Nat Davy was at her side during this transition from a coy fifteen year old to a woman of strong-will and perseverance.

Nat Davy faced many challenges while in court. He was very much aware of his size but he had dreams and had the resolve to be more, to go beyond the expectations that the world at large had for him. In his personal life, he missed his family terribly but as the years passed, the memories faded. Life with the Queen was a busy one and Nat fell into the day-to-day regime, eventually moving on from life in Oakham, but never forgetting his mother’s words.

The King continued to vex Parliament and it soon became very clear that the court needed to move and fast. The Queen was a hated figure, as many feared she wished to enforce Catholicism on the people. With Nat by her side, they fled to France in search of support and to buy arms to defend the King and all he stood for. The Civil War had begun in earnest. From that perspective, I found The Smallest Man to be quite an interesting story, historically speaking, as I must admit not to knowing much about the English Civil War. With very visual descriptions of locations and people, it was very easy to immerse myself into the life of the time.

The Smallest Man is a swashbuckler of a tale with a very unlikely hero in its midst, Nat Davy. A warm-hearted character who always saw the positive in people and loyal to the core, he believed in the bond of friendship. But he always struggled with self-love and self-respect. There is a love-story that lingers throughout this tale, a will-they-won’t-they scenario. It did drag out a little bit for me but, that is a minor quibble.

Nat was a devoted companion to the Queen, protecting her from danger in the most creative and imaginative ways, oft-times using his size to his advantage. From cross sea adventures, to duels and racing horses, Nat Davy lived his life to the full. Nat’s confidence in his size progressed through the story as he came to terms with what he had achieved in life. This novel carries a very strong message for us all – to not to be afraid of stepping up and being counted.

The Smallest Man is a highly enjoyable and charming read about self-discovery and acceptance. With wonderful historical insights interwoven throughout, this really is a captivating tale, one I thoroughly enjoyed.

This isn't a historical novel as such but it certainly reads like one. It is the story of Nat Davy, who becomes the queen's dwarf, and is loosely based on the true story of Jeffrey Hudson, the real life Dwarf to the English queen Henrietta of France in the 1600s.

Both were totally proportional, but tiny, and both were presented to the French (nationality) Queen, who was married to an English King, served in a pie.

The book is a fictionalised account, as not everything is known about Jeffrey Hudson, although he can be seen in a painting of the Queen by Van Duck which appears in the fictionalised account.

The story is nicely told and with enough accuracy to the true story to whet your interest, and I feel sure that Nat Davy has a much better life than Jeffrey Hudson did!

It's a well written, and we'll researched book, and whether or not you are a fan of historical novels, you should really enjoy it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3642484645

I have read a large number of historical fiction books this year and I’m pleased to say that this is one of the best (and worthy of the 5 stars I’ve given it on Goodreads and online bookstores).

The story begins when Nat is a young boy, who has already been overtaken in height by his younger brother. He believes his mother, thinking that he will have a growth spurt soon. However, his childhood changes dramatically after the visit to the local fair, where he realises that he may never grow any taller.

Nat tries hard to grow and avoid being sold to the local fair, and he does escape this fate. But is being sold to the local Duke to become a living doll for the young Queen Mary, going to be any better?

Nat moves to a pampered life, no more going hungry, beautiful clothes and furnishings but misses his family. Thankfully he meets Jeremiah, who was also chosen for the royal palace for his unusual height (for being much taller than normal) and develops a much needed friendship. Nat is determined to prove he is a man, not just a boy and with help from friends, he becomes a very important member of the Queen’s court, and helps save the Queen on a number of occasions during the start of the English Civil War.

The storytelling is superb and the pages flew by. This is an era of history I knew very little about, but now feel I understand more. However, the hero of the story is Nat, who is determined to help his family and friends survive the Civil War.

A fascinating read. I love books based on real stories and what a real story! I'd never heard of Jeffery Hudson who Nat is based on but the story behind the story is just as interesting as the story itself. Very good in detail and scene setting, the characters are richly drawn and the novel romps along with action and both heart and soul on every page. A fresh take on history and a very unique premise!

A n engrossing historical novel set around the times of the English Civil War. The year is 1625 and in a village north of London, 10-year-dwarf Nat Davy has escaped the threat of a freak show only to be sold by his father to the Duke of Buckingham who buys him as a gift for King Charles I's wife, Henrietta Maria. Poor Nat is popped in a pie to emerge to a life in court where he soon becomes the queen’s confidant.Though Nat faces many challenges, he tries to remember his mother’s advice that he may be “small on the outside, but inside he’s as big as everyone else”. There’s certainly nothing little about his loyalty to his masters – Nat sticks with the queen through thick and thin as Charles leads his country into a bloody civil war. As his adventures take him around England and across Europe, Nat grows in wisdom, courage and strength, proving himself a true hero more than once. What a joy of a read! Descriptive prose immerses you in seventeenth century England, where the sights, sounds and smells of the times – be it at a country fair or royal palace immediately evoke a sense of time and place. There’s adventure on every page as Nat navigates his way through turbulent times, but most interesting of all is his journey to maturity as he finally accepts himself for who he is, puts his experience to use to help others and finds the courage to finally live the life he wants to live.

I really enjoyed The Smallest Man set in England during the 1600s. It’s a fictionalised account of the life of Jeffrey Hudson. I never heard about him before, but glad I read this book, as it was interesting.
It was a well written historical fiction reflecting its era in detail together with a story and well developed characters.
I'd recommend it.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Went through a reading slump for the longest time but really engaged with this book and it sparked my love of reading again. Totally absorbing, fab writing!

I loved this book! Nat Davy narrates the tale of how he came to be the Queen's dwarf. The story takes us to various countries though begins in 17th century England. I had no prior knowledge of this period in history and found Quinn's rendering fascinating. Nat is an extremely loveable character and there are some supporting standouts, including Jeremiah and Arabella. Frances Quinn's stunning debut is a triumph of historical fiction, exploring what it means to be different and how those differences can be overcome. It's about friendship, love and courage. I found "The Smallest Man" to be an incredibly heartwarming read and I missed it between reading sessions. It's a book which will retain a place in my heart forever.

This book tells the story of Nat Davy who is said to be “the smallest man” in the world. Based on the real life of Jeffrey Hudson, the author has created a rich story on a new character. At the age of ten his father sells him to the Duke of Buckingham, who presents Nat as a gift to the Queen of England, Henrietta Maria. Nat would become the Queen’s friend and confidante in one of the most turbulent times in England.

This book is exactly the kind of historical fiction story I like, a very court and politics focussed novel told from the POV of one of its members, and this one did not disappoint.

We meet Nat as a child who believes that one day he will grow to the same height as his brother, but his father knows differently and has plans for his son. Nat is sold and ends up becoming the Queen’s Court Dwarf, and eventually one of her closest courtiers. From Nat’s POV the book takes readers through the rising uprest in 17th Century England. The book moves through the Civil Wars focussing on how it affected the Queen, and what she did to survive.

I really liked Nat’s narration and character. Although he faces hardships and ridicule because of his size he is an incredibly clever and brave character, whose biggest achievements are when he realises that what his mother told him is true, that “you’re small on the outside, but inside you’re as big as everyone else”. I really enjoyed his relationships in this novel, with the people who see more to Nat than just his size. I did find the romantic story was stretched a little too long, but I did enjoy the characters of Nat, Henry and Arabella as a trio. There was a lot of humour in their actions, which was a nice contrast to the political story.
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The story itself moves quickly through the events of 1625 and onwards, and I found it really easy to get into. The story builds and builds to the downfall of Charles I, although due to the Queen escaping to France the fighting in England the fighting is often off to the side. This does help with building the tension as everything is so unknown to the characters as they move through the dangerous parts of the country.

An interesting story of friendship and love, war and secrets, I’d recommend this to historical fiction fans.

Thank you to NetGalley, Frances Quinn and Simon & Schuster for this ARC to read and review.

This is a historical novel that blends fact and fiction, told in the first person in a conversational style. It begins when Nat Davy is a ten year old boy and he is going to the travelling fair to see a fairie who he hopes will grant his wish to grow. But the fairie is a dwarf like him and tells him to run, so that he isn't caught and made to perform in the fair like her.

Nat is not immediately sold to the fair and in fact a better offer comes along. He is sold to the Duke and presented to the queen in a pastry pie (incredibly, this is part of the book that is based on fact!) He becomes the Queen's dwarf and by the time he is a young adult he is an established part of the household. The story takes place during the Civil War and charts the queen's movement around Europe and the UK.

This is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. You feel for Nat, he is a very likable character. Some of the situations seem far fetched and yet I wondered all the way through what was fact and what was fiction - the author clears this up in the acknowledgements. I enjoyed the book both for it's story and for the representation of people with differences (not just Nat).

Very good read, highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I actually listened to the audiobook for this one and my review will reflect that.
I really enjoyed this audiobook about The Smallest Man in England during the 1600s. It’s a fictionalised account of the life of Jeffrey Hudson, who I had to Google to discover more about him, as I’d never heard of him before.
I do love historical fiction and this ticked all the boxes for a fascinating story about life in England during the reign of King Charles I. I knew a bit about King Charles but nothing about his French wife Queen Henrietta Maria. I loved hearing about the queen, her court and her developing friendship with Nat, who became known to all as ‘The Queen’s Dwarf’.
I really liked Nat! He was a great character and clever man, although he was a bit on the slow side when it came to love. But then lots of men can be bit slow in that respect, especially in literature! Nat makes some wonderful friends whilst he’s at court, Jeremiah the Queen’s bodyguard, Arabella a feisty Yorkshire lass, and Henry the Queen’s Chamberlain. They helped him to navigate life and became like family to him through the years.
I loved the historical details about one of the most turbulent times in English history, the English Civil War, making me very glad to be alive in the 21st Century!
Alex Wingfield’s narration was fantastic, bringing Nat and all the characters to life effortlessly. He gave all the characters individual voices, so I was never confused as to who was speaking. He’s a new-to-me narrator, and he’s gone straight onto my favourite narrators list!
I highly recommend this on audio if you enjoy perfectly narrated historical fiction, based on a true story.

This was not quite for me. It started well but slowed a bit too much as the story reached the middle. It is wonderful however to see such an interesting and important storyline of diversity being portrayed. Definitely one for those who enjoy royal history.