[A6P]⋙ [PDF] The Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb A Novel Melanie Benjamin Books

The Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb A Novel Melanie Benjamin Books

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The Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb A Novel Melanie Benjamin Books

I must commend the author on her characterizations in this novel. Minnie herself shines, with all her imperfections and strong will. I liked how the author didn’t give into the temptation to gloss over the vices and highlight only the virtues. Minnie’s stubbornness and her continuous existence in the cerebral in detriment to her emotions are as highlighted as her confidence and strong will. For all that she’s as short as she is, her spirit stands tall against the rest of the world. I was spellbound by her thirst for all that world and her relationships with it.

I was also intrigued by the author’s secondary characters and her other main ones. Barnum and Charles are very realistic, being shaped by the show business world they inhabit. I truly felt for both gents, Charles with his eternal young optimism and Barnum with his vitality for life. Even the tertiary characters like Sylvia and Carlotta breathe with life for the reader.

Oh this world and what a story! Exploring the world of showboats on the Mississippi, the Victorian obsession with sideshows and things that are different, and getting an inner glimpse into that shadowy world are all real treats. I’ve never read a work in this world and found this a perfect introduction. The author definitely took the time to make sure her details and research were spot on so that her readers are transported to a world like no other.

With characters that jump off the page and a well-developed setting, this introduction to Melanie Benjamin was perfect. I kept turning the pages quickly so I could learn the next development in Minnie’s life. I’m glad someone told this story as it’s one the world really shouldn’t forget. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction!!


Tags : Amazon.com: The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel (9780385344159): Melanie Benjamin: Books,Melanie Benjamin,The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A Novel,Delacorte Press,0385344155,Biographical fiction.,Dwarfs (Persons);United States;Fiction.,Women circus performers;United States;Fiction.,(Mercy Lavinia),,1841-1919,American Historical Fiction,Biographical,Dwarfs,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction Biographical,Fiction Historical,Fiction Literary,Fiction Sagas,Historical - General,Magri, M. Lavinia,United States,Women circus performers

The Autobiography of Mrs Tom Thumb A Novel Melanie Benjamin Books Reviews

While I had known a bit about Tom Thumb and P.T. Barnum and certainly have read about the unequal treatment of women in the nineteenth century, I had never heard much about the woman Tom Thumb married. This novel tells her story in her own words and reveals an interesting and spunky woman character who faces the world boldly. I also like that Benjamin was confident to create a complex and interesting character whom I liked a lot despite her imperfections. Plus it was interesting to think about people who "ran away" to join the circus rather than stay at home and be defined by family and the rather limited professions available to women at the time. She refused to be a freak and became a person.

If you are interested in women's issues and nineteenth-century American history; circuses, fairs, and carnivals; or freaks, you'll enjoy this novel.
One of the best novels I've read; I recommend this story. This book made me want to know more about P.T. Barnum and reading the author's notes, interview, and other end matter, I discovered this one of her goals to inspire curiosity in her readers. Mission accomplished!

On one of these balconies, a band in brightly festooned uniforms played; they were singular for their absolutely awful musicianship. Indeed, Mr. Barnum confessed to me that he had hired them expressly for their lack of talent! He wanted the people inside the Museum, and if they had to endure a cacophony of out-of-tune instruments, he reasoned, (Benjamin, Melanie. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb A Novel ( Locations 2422-2425). Random House Publishing Group. Edition.)
Very Interesting! This story was well written, and about an industry, era and people I knew little about. The author keeps you totally engaged, and is an excellent storyteller. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book. I'll be recommending it to both of my book clubs.
I believe this story gives a wonderful perspective of the challenges that Little People face every day. We all need to see life from a variety of angles if we are to truly understand the people around us.
Benjamin does a great job of putting the reader in the shoes of Lavinia Bump from childhood to middle age. The historical setting, with the added quotes, news articles and historical documents add much to authenticate and anchor the time period.
Well written and hard to put down!
This book starts off interesting enough. Lavinia Warren Thumb as the story progresses turns out to be a not so nice person. This is a book based on non fiction but written in fiction as told by Mrs. Tom Thumb in a narrative.
I think as a little person, according to this book, she had wits and gumption. She led an exciting life touring the world, meeting Queens and hobnobbing with society with The likes of The Astors and Vanderbilts.
Wanting a life not living on a farm, she introduced herself to P. T. Barnum and then her adventures began. Not sure in real life if Ms. Warren, a/k/a Mrs. Tom Thumb was as self centered, mean and jealous as portrayed in this historical novel but just reading and experiencing her world adventures, things that people only dream about are worth reading.
So, judge for yourself, the glamorous, exciting but inward feelings of this woman.
I must commend the author on her characterizations in this novel. Minnie herself shines, with all her imperfections and strong will. I liked how the author didn’t give into the temptation to gloss over the vices and highlight only the virtues. Minnie’s stubbornness and her continuous existence in the cerebral in detriment to her emotions are as highlighted as her confidence and strong will. For all that she’s as short as she is, her spirit stands tall against the rest of the world. I was spellbound by her thirst for all that world and her relationships with it.

I was also intrigued by the author’s secondary characters and her other main ones. Barnum and Charles are very realistic, being shaped by the show business world they inhabit. I truly felt for both gents, Charles with his eternal young optimism and Barnum with his vitality for life. Even the tertiary characters like Sylvia and Carlotta breathe with life for the reader.

Oh this world and what a story! Exploring the world of showboats on the Mississippi, the Victorian obsession with sideshows and things that are different, and getting an inner glimpse into that shadowy world are all real treats. I’ve never read a work in this world and found this a perfect introduction. The author definitely took the time to make sure her details and research were spot on so that her readers are transported to a world like no other.

With characters that jump off the page and a well-developed setting, this introduction to Melanie Benjamin was perfect. I kept turning the pages quickly so I could learn the next development in Minnie’s life. I’m glad someone told this story as it’s one the world really shouldn’t forget. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction!!