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.

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 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.

As with most historical fiction stories it is padded out and it is padded out well.

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.

At the beginning of this I was full of dread for the main character - I assumed this was going to be an account of horrific stories of the abuse he had to endure, due to his physical appearance. But I needn’t have worried. Although Nat Davey does endure many difficulties and worries, Quinn’s descriptive narration and character portrayals are so appropriate that this actually has you feeling quite positive for much of the time.
Despite my niggling aversion to first person narrations and worries about overly gloomy stories I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend it to those who already like historical fiction or are looking for a good introduction to the genre.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Smallest Man is inspired by the true story of Jeffrey Hudson, the court dwarf of Queen Henrietta Maria of France.
Set during the time of King Charles I, the story is part historical fiction, part love story and part coming-of-age story.
Nathaniel Davy is 'The Smallest Man' and we follow his arrival at the royal court, introduced in a pie (after being sold by his father). We see as he becomes the Queen's favourite and confidante and follow as he sides with the Queen during this tumultuous time in history.

As a work of historical fiction, I found this a bit 'light' – it was easy to read, but perhaps too easy. There was no real challenge to the brain or chance to think too deeply about the story.
I found the love story (or non-love story) between he and Arabella far too stretched out and a bit too 'Mills & Boon' in its approach.
But overall, I enjoyed the book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

* Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the ARC.

It’s probably because I have a disability and worked on a PhD in Disability Theory, but I love books that cover a familiar part of history from a disability perspective. All Nat Davy wants is to be normal, but he was born a dwarf in Oakham. When the circus visits to town he is almost sold to the fair by his own father. However, his eventual fate is even more bizarre! He is sent to the court of King Charles 1st and is put into a pie to surprise Queen Henrietta Maria, who is only 15 and desperately unhappy and homesick. They are both outsiders and the two form a bond, becoming close friends. I loved that he is seen as a harmless pet in the court but he’s actually in a very powerful position; he has the ear of the woman who might trigger a Civil War. He will never be accepted by other boys his age at court, he can’t participate in masculine pursuits like hunting, but he is about embark on an epic adventure - much greater than his size might suggest.

He becomes the Queen’s closest protector and I found it amazing that she trusts him in this role. They go on the run and he is looking after her all the way. He even saves the Queen’s life. There is something very satisfying in the fact he is underestimated at every turn. He enters into a romance with a woman called Arabella, the most beautiful woman at court. However, will, she see past his disability and return his love. Even now, the subject of disability and romance is taboo. People find it hard to see people with disabilities as sexual beings, capable of being desired. The fact that this is the 17th Century shows us these types of relationships probably did happen, quietly in the background. However, this wasn’t the most successful part of the novel. I was amazed at how Nat copes in this world considering how hard it can still be to be different. Even though he is physically small, he stands head and shoulders above anyone else in the book.

The first part had the most pace and set the scene beautifully. The rest of the novel is slower and didn’t quite hold my attention in the same way. The depth of research is undeniable here and I learned a lot about this period of history, beyond the basic Royalist/Roundhead split. I loved that the author drew a parallel between Nat’s servitude and the situation the Queen is in. Even though she has riches and might seem lucky to some, she too is living in a form of slavery. This is why they connect. She was sent away from her home and loved ones, to marry a man she’d never met and didn’t love.

This is one of those books that really caught me to begin with, and I flew through it at a rate of knots, but I have to say the first two sections are far more compelling than the conclusion which felt a little rushed and underdone. I suspect that this is partly because whilst the first section builds up the characters and the time period, and the second section really builds up the politics and unrest of the time, the first section was more based on Nat's adventures and a romance that seemed whirlwind, even though quite a few pages were dedicated to it. I'm never that fond of romance in my novel's, I don't mind it as a backdrop, but the moment it becomes the main focus of the story my attention begins to wane and drift away.

What I did find to be exceptionally well done, was how Quinn draws her characters, their relationships and the political upheaval of the time period. It's not an area of history I know a huge amount amount, other than the obvious fact that the King gets beheaded and Cromwell takes charge with puritanical vigour and makes himself even more unpopular than the King was. Quinn is adept at building the time period up around you though, so you never feel lost or overwhelmed by events but fall into it naturally. Likewise, her portrayal of Nat, the Queen and the friends and enemies he makes along the way are nothing short of fantastic. The relationship between Nat and the Queen is particularly poignant, as they have both been sold into servitude of a sort and are both equally and desperately unhappy with their lot at the beginning of the novel.

And for a historical fiction, there's a lot here that is pertinent to current affairs in how we treat those who are different to us, and how having strength of heart and mind can sometimes trump the perfect body. I felt Nat's differences were well depicted; it would be difficult living with his tiny statute in today's world, but it was a very different world in the seventeenth century. I really enjoyed reading his thoughts as he struggles to be seen as anything more than the Queen's pet doll, how his relationships build and grow throughout the novel and how sometimes even the strangest of friends make the most steadfast companions.

So a solid four stars here that could have been five if my attention hadn't drifted in the latter half of the novel. I really didn't care much about the romantic elements of the novel in honesty, instead finding myself far more engaged by the historical commentary and the depictions of the political upheaval and unrest. When many of those were dropped to the wayside in favour of a 'she'll never love me' romantic entanglement, it felt as though several key events - for example, the beheading of King Charles and the Queen's reaction - were rushed over in haste.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for my review copy of this title.

Smallest man, big heartwarming novel.
Love historical novels, this was very satisfying, court intrigues seen from a different point of view.
Nate is a dwarf and does not realise that he will never grow, he tries to redeem his situation in lots of ways, only realising what he is when he visits a fairground and sees another dwarf.His Father is ashamed of him and knows he will never be able to help out on the farm so sells him to a Duke, who gives him to the Queen as a gift, so begins Nat's adventures as the Queens dwarf.
Well described characters, events of the times are intriguing and exciting.
Will Nat ever be happy and find a woman who will accept him?
Thanks Francis and NetGalley.

A heartwarming and interesting story, it kept me hooked till the end.
I loved Nat, he's such a great characters and you read about his growth as man and the people he met during his life.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the character development is excellent and the author is a good storyteller that always keep your attention.
It was an excellent read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

It is always a pleasure to read a book before it is published but, what makes it more pleasurable is when you enjoy the story. You feel privileged to ‘see’ something before anyone else, as though you are in an exclusive club.

The smallest man written by Frances Quinn is one story that was just beautiful to read. This historical fiction novel is based on some fact but with creative flair added by the author.

Nat Davy, finds a shilling and on that day he realises something, that he’s not the same as everyone else. When his father sells him to a Duke, Nat is presented as a gift to the Queen of England. Nat is more than his stature and a form of entertainment at court. He becomes the Queen’s friend and even saves her life when the people turn against their monarchy. Parliament is waging war on The Crown, the country is at war, but this is a backdrop to the rich and varied life that Nat Davy leads.

This is a heartwarming story that makes you root for Nat and his friends, but it really makes you embrace that being different shouldn’t be a barrier to living life.

Frances Quinn writes this tale that spans a few decades, but has it flowing nicely through the ages. It doesn’t get bogged down and events seamlessly move along from Nat’s point of view. Nat is a very likable character (along with others) and nicely developed. This book is engaging and was just simply lovely to read.

Nat is a dwarf in 17th England. Born to a poor family and sold to a Duke by his father, he soon finds himself in the middle of court life.
I loved Nat's character, he's got such a strength of character! I also liked the way the author portrayed the life of a small man in the 17th. My only criticism would be that the language and choice of words didn't really work with the rest of the book, could have been a bit more polished and less tv series-like.
All in all a lovely debut and would recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction.
Thank you NatGalley for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This is such an accomplished book. The emotional growth of Nat, the smallest man, is so well drawn, alongside the characters around him. Quinn captures the craziness of England during the Civil War - people changing sides, random deaths, everything moving so quickly - and Nat himself balances clear sight and emotional connection and loyalty. This is one of those books that takes a very big story and brings it down to the absolutely personal, without losing that width and depth. I liked it very much.

The Smallest Man is a historical fiction loosely based on the real story of Sir Jeffrey Hudson, court dwarf of Queen Henrietta Maria of France. The book follows Nat Davy, a little person who is sold by his family to the Duke of Wellington and eventually given as a gift to the queen. As we follow Nat from adolescence to adulthood, we see his journey to self-acceptance and how it is affected by the courtly setting that is soon disrupted by an impending civil war. Nat was a well-rounded character with a layered personality, although this sometimes came at the expense of the other characters, who felt somewhat underdeveloped (I was a little disappointed that we didn’t see more of the queen’s inner workings). I also thought that the novel could be somewhat more grounded in its historical setting, and the rising tension of the English Civil Wars sometimes felt disrupted by modern-sounding dialogue or lengthy romantic subplots. However, as someone who doesn’t know much about this period of history, I felt that it gave a good overview of the general context. Overall, I thought that The Smallest Man was an enjoyable debut and a charming attempt at a story of difference and self-acceptance.

I loved this book! Nat was such a fantastic character - realistic and kind, but so marred by pride at times. I also found myself looking up the real story of Queen Henrietta and her dwarf, which was really interesting. Great to have the author's note at the end too.

At times, The Smallest Man reminded me of Restoration by Rose Tremain (which is one of my all-time favourite books - so this is high praise indeed!)

Thanks so much for letting me read this.

A thoroughly enjoyable historical novel set during the English civil war.
It tells the fictional story of Nat Davey, a dwarf, who is sold by his father into the service of the Queen.
The story draws lots of parallels between the lonely, young foreign queen and the scared, young Nat and the friendship that blooms between them.
I've not read much around the civil war and this was a really interesting perspective as it was seen from the queen's side via Nat.
I felt that the ending was a little predictable but not in any way that changed my enjoyment of the story.

I very much enjoyed reading #TheSmallestMan as it was set during the English Civil War in the early 17th century. This is not a period of history I know well, and I found it incredibly interesting.
Ned is a 10 year old boy with dwarfism. He is effectively sold by his father and ends up in the court of the 15 year old queen of England. The story follows Ned for the next 20 years and is a fascinating fictional insight into what it might have been like at court at a time of upheaval and change.
The author did a good job of keeping the politics simple enough to not take away from Ned's story, and the book flowed well. I felt I learned a lot but I wasn't overwhelmed or frustrated by historical facts. The characterisation of Ned and his friends and foes made it an engaging and sensitive read. I was rooting for Ned and found myself cheering him on.
I would recommend this book as a YA novel as well as adult fiction, as I believe my teenage children and their friends would enjoy it.
Thank you to the author, the publishers and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book.

This book eloquently tells the story of the English Civil War, 1642-1651, as seen through the eyes of Queen Henrietta Maria, and graphically describes the difficulties of being a foreigner, albeit, a Queen, in a country, that doesn’t acknowledge your religion, language, and the fact that as a woman, your opinion isn’t requested, or listened to, you are present only to bear children.
This story is based upon historical fact, only the name has been changed. Nat Davy is the titular small man, and he is a dwarf. Treated with great suspicion, as a dwarf is unlucky and an embarrassment to his father,he is sold to the Duke of Buckingham by his father, and given as a gift to the Queen, in order to curry favour with her, Nat becomes a source of comfort and advice to the Queen, and gradually helps her to find her place in the Royal Court.
Nat is a wonderful character, generous of heart, loyal to his friends and defender of those who need help. He also shows a rare understanding of being different, but is determined that his stature will not deter him from self advancement. The reader gains an insider viewpoint of the events that lead up to the war, it is simply written, descriptive and speaks directly to you, it would be a marvellous YA book, in all aspects.
I was intrigued by this Court Dwarf, and did some extra research and reading.
Nat Davy is based upon Jeffrey Hudson, a dwarf, who was presented to the Court in a pie. He had a chequered history, he fought in the Civil War, was a convicted murderer and became a prisoner of Barbery Pirates. I also looked at this painting online, and read more about the Duke of Buckingham, a nasty piece of work, in a previous reviewed book, The Honey and the Sting, by EC Freeman.
I give this novel a four star rating, I felt the language was simplistic for an adult read and comprehension, but rate it higher for a YA addition to a library. A must read book that also deals sympathetically with disability, where the usual course of events would be death or sold to a freak show that toured the country.
I will leave a review to Goodreads and Amazon later. Thank you for my advance copy, much appreciated.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

The time of the English Civil Wars 1642 to 1651 is often under represented in fiction in my experience, which is odd considering how much fiction is written around the American Civil War, and it is a period I find extremely interesting, so when I read when this book was set, I couldn’t wait and decided to request it despite it being a debut author, I’d heard nothing about.

The story is based on fact – Charles I’s wife, Henrietta Maria had a court dwarf and this man has quite a history. Frances Quinn takes the idea of a court dwarf from that era, changes his name and some of his life history, whilst keeping some of it intact. Clearly this allows her to put her own spin on the real-life characters, and her plot is therefore freer.

We meet Nat Davy as a young boy believing in fairies, only to find out the one at the local fair is just a dwarf like himself but one that is being treated as freak in a show. This starting point then leads Nat to be taken in by the real-life Duke Of Buckingham before being ‘given’ to the Queen. We then follow his life immediately as a 10-12 year old before we have a giant leap forward so that we can encompass the Civil Wars, and the ways in which they affected not only Charles I but also Henrietta Maria, who is portrayed in a very positive manner.

There are many things I enjoyed about the book. I particularly liked how the main character spoke directly to the reader, with asides like ‘I suspect you saw this coming’ and ‘as you probably know’, it was done with a gentle and subtle touch, and added to the warmth we felt for the character. In fact, Nat himself was a beautifully rounded character who charmed both the queen and his reader with his sense of humour, as well as his justifiable anger and lack of self-belief.

I also loved the queen and will be reading more about her as a result.

My main criticism would be the language – this is not as well written as it could be and phrases and words are not well chosen. We have phrases that sound as though they are from the TV show ‘Friends’ in the 1990s, e.g. ‘whoa, no need to be so prickly’ and they stand out and distract from the narrative. In fact, I would say the writer lacks a real sensitivity to how people would have spoken back then and the etymology of phrases. Whilst I understand that no one is going to want to read a work that is written in the exact early modern English that would have been spoken then, I also think most historical fiction writers do attempt to give a little flare as to how people would have spoken at the time. And think phrases such as ‘beats me’ and ‘chickened out’ where the etymology is so easy to find out should not be included in something told from a 17th century point of view. It smacks of laziness and lack of care for the reader. I don’t blame the writer so much as the publisher, as it is as though no body picked up on these things in their rush to put through a novel that they think may be as successful as The Familiars, and other recent chart-topping historical fiction.

Other things that show lack of historical research also annoyed me. One of the main characters, a royalist who helps the queen, is very rude to her at one point and says ‘no’ to her in a way that just wouldn’t be believable for a young woman at that time. This character also acts in a way that would be unacceptable for a young unmarried woman at the time. She’s also the daughter of a landowner with a big house and lots of servants yet is allowed by her father to marry a man who was born to a butcher and works as a court dwarf – whilst this is lovely in terms of the romance, it doesn’t reflect the mores of the times. It is not even an issue, although, it really would have been for the people involved at the time. Just because we think people can be married if they could from vastly different financial backgrounds, doesn’t mean they did in 1650. The whole romance sub-plot is undeveloped in reality, it feels false and tacked on.

The king’s stay in Carisbrooke Castle is never discussed, although we spend time with the queen whilst he is there, and a 40 journey by horse and cart is considered a ‘short’ journey, despite that it would be a 20 hour round trip.

This is an interesting story, with at least one very brilliant character and a plot that doesn’t stop at all, whilst also being very well constructed. But the lack of care taken with the language puts this book in a very average category when it could have been great. So for me, it is a 3 star book.

I don't normally read historical fiction novels, but I'm so glad I made an exception to this. It's a fabulous story told by a fictional character, Nat Davey, who is based on an actual historical figure of Jeffrey Hudson who lived in the court of Charles I, given as a gift to his wife, Henrietta. Nat's is a heartwarming, memorable character, through whose eyes we view some of the most tumultuous events of Charles' reign, taking the reader into the turmoil of the English Civil War. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

The Smallest Man by Frances Quinn was a really enjoyable book. It is set in the reign of Charles 1, when the King’s forces and The Parliamentarians were fighting against each other. It was in the era when fathers would have thought nothing of selling their children, if they thought they would be a drain on the family’s resources. There was much religious conflict in Europe at this time and this has made its way into England.
This story features Nat Davy, a dwarf, and is based on the life of Jeffrey Hudson, who was court dwarf to Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles 1. . Nat, the smallest man in England, was presented to the Queen as a present by the Duke of Buckingham. Nat becomes friends with the Queen who is only a few years older than he is. They have both been isolated from their families.
It was really interesting to read about life during the Civil War, both at Court and in the rural villages, about the privileges of High Society and equally about the drudge of life for ordinary working folk. So although every detail may not be historically accurate, Frances Quinn has written a captivating exciting story and I would strongly recommend it to everyone, whether they are fans of historical fiction or not.
I would like to thank Simon & Schuster UK, publisher, and Frances Quinn, author and NetGalley for the ARC copy.