An unexpected gem!

I really enjoyed this novel, a beautiful story of what it really means to be different, to be optimistic & overcome all the challenges that come with that.

I thought the narrator did a fabulous job, giving really distinctive voices to all the characters.

A gorgeous read, an unusual premise based on truth, and Nat is a character it is impossible not to root for!

A huge thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio UK & NetGalley for gifting me a copy in return for an open & honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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 book was loosely inspired by the life of Jeffrey Hudson, court dwarf to Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. It turns out that what we know of Jeffrey’s life was really quite fascinating and Quinn has done a fantastic job of filling in the gaps although this is clearly a work of fiction and by straying far beyond the what is known has created a very entertaining tale!

Jeffrey is replaced with Nat in Quinn’s story, a dwarf who is sold into the service of Queen Henrietta Maria by his father at a young age. He soon finds himself in favour with the Queen and a long way from the life he knew before. After the outbreak of Civil War Nat remains loyal to the Queen and follows her across Europe. The last part of the book focuses on the relationships Nat makes, an old enemy, friends he’s made a long the way and the family he left behind.

The reign of Charles I and the English civil war provides an interesting and dynamic backdrop. The intricacies of the time period are not explored but are felt throughout the novel, affecting the decisions and lives of every character.

Nat is an engaging narrator, generally he’s optimistic and overcomes many of the challenges he faces to help others but that doesn’t stop him experiencing self-doubt. For much of the book, Nat feels he is undeserving of a beautiful woman’s love. This made sense but the romance storyline became increasingly frustrating as it just took an incredible amount of time to come to fruition!

At times I felt the plot was a little disjointed, I think Quinn was trying to fit in all the key events we know of Jeffrey’s life and it’s tricky to fill the gaps in a way that flows. She did a fantastic job at maintaining the interest though and maintaining the drama.

I listened to the audiobook version and really enjoyed it, the narrator did an excellent job and gave Nat a really distinctive voice. It was read at a good pace and as the book is written in first person it only enhanced the experience.

I came away with the feeling that the main theme of this novel was acceptance, a topic that was explored with optimism and yet remains somewhat realistic to the way the world was in the 16th century and remains.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy historical fiction especially when based on a true story and with a great main character, such as Nat Davy, who has a big story to tell. He is small and is sold to the travelling fair by his father. He is rescued and ends up in the Royal Household as a gift to the Queen. This is a wonderful story told during a very unsettled time during British history.
It took me a little while to get into this audiobook but when I did the momentum just kept me going and I really enjoyed this small but larger than life character and his life journey.
This audio book was brought to life by Alex Wingfield who absolutely becomes the voice of Nat and transports you back to 1625.
A superb debut from Frances Quinn

Being only 4'10" myself, (on a good day, with the wind behind me, if you squint), I was very interested in a book about the smallest man. I have to say it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Ms Quinn presents us with a highly accomplished book. She creates the atmosphere of 1625 wonderfully and I had no problem in seeing everything she wrote about in my mind's eye. Her attention to detail was exquisite and it's impossible to decide whether I preferred her elegant descriptions of places or her detailed characterisations. The story winds its way around you and soon holds you in a firm embrace, making you feel cared for a loved. The whole story is just wonderful with historical facts slipped in amongst romantic fiction and enough baddies for you to despise. Alex Wingfield provides a stellar narration to elevate this novel head and shoulders above the rest, (if you'll excuse the pun). The Smallest Man is a book with the biggest heart and will stay firmly lodged in mine for some time to come. A huge success.

The narrator of this book is wonderful. He easily brings Nat to life in your imagination and isn't at all annoying when he does other voices which is always a peeve of mine with male narrators. I really hope to listen to more books from both author and narrator.

Nat is a dwarf also known as "The Smallest Man". he is sold by his father as a gift to the English queen who was also sold from her French home. The pair soon become good friends and we follow their journey through time.

I have not read much about Queen Henrietta Maria of France so I found both the story and the historical side very interesting.

I had put off reading it as I expected it to be about the dwarfs miserable time through life, but it isn't at all. if anything it brings to light real life matters of how we perceive others.

Great read which flows well.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the ARC.

I think this was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. So far, the only POV by someone with dawarfism that I read has been Tyrion Lannister in A Song of Ice and Fire. And this book is even based on an actual person? In the 17th century? In England? This was already the perfect conditions to be a book was absolutely going to fall in love with. I have not been dissapointed.
From start to finish, this book was perfect. Everything about it was spot on - or maybe I think so because of the narrator. That man could read a shopping list and I would be listening to it.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.