by Frances Quinn Published by Simon & Schuster
Cover Art & Design: Simon & Schuster Art Dept.
I'm sure I'm not the only person that often skips past a book description if it starts by mentioning any specific period in history. But THIS one is different!
Frances Quinn has given us an excellent book, with several threads of historical fiction to elegantly connect us to an intriguing cast of characters & their unusual, shared story.
A butcher's son living in a tiny cottage, Nat Davy had no way of knowing how his life would change.
Imagine being sold to the Duke of Buckingham by your parents at the age of 11 & you later become a gift to the queen! This sounds drastic but to Nathaniel's parents, selling their son genuinely felt like the only option at the time. The huge change in his life was a shock to Nat & he had to adjust quickly.
As such an obvious underdog in the world - a target for bullies & ignorant people - this tale brings Nat to the surface to tell us his story directly. I love that he's not just somewhere, quietly mentioned in the early pages.
Initially almost viewed as a novelty or pet for the Queen, Nathaniel actually becomes a trusted & close confidant. He actually has friends around him, earns their respect, demonstrates his intelligence & beats the odds even more by learning to ride a horse despite his short stature.
This is a multi-layered story exploring friendship, self-discovery, & life's challenges from a completely different perspective. A heart-breaking realisation that Nat couldn't be 'stretched' & would stay small, forces him to face life with new determination.
A lot of historical research has gone into this novel & Quinn has brought this under-represented part of the 17th century to life with no dull & boring moments at all.
An excellent read & one I'd definitely recommend.
Comments