‘The Smallest Man’ by Frances Quinn is the story of Nat Davy and his life. Although Nat Davy may be England’s smallest man, he has a big story to tell and a big heart to match!
Growing up poor in Oakham, Nat was disappointed to find he wasn’t, well, growing. After his grand plan to get taller fails, he finds himself in a pie to be presented to Queen Henrietta Maria, King Charles I’s wife. However, life as the Queen’s pet isn’t as easy or as luxurious as it seems, especially when they have to go on the run as civil war breaks out and their lives are in danger.
The story is told by Nat himself, so we get the inside information also. Not just the story but his thoughts on particular things or events, such as how he could have changed outcomes by doing things differently, this really helped me get to know him and how he felt he had developed from these things. The friendships that grew for Nat as the story unfolded with the Queen, Henry, Jeremiah and Arabella, I thought them a beautiful part of the story. A story that I was so invested in.
The characters just got me where I needed to know the outcome of it all, so I couldn’t put this book down for too long it was that good a read.
It is based on true events with the English Civil War, it still left me wondering what was going to happen to Nat throughout the book. A story that brings the humour one minute and then the sad parts too. It could swing from one to another, so not all sadness and that made it a really good read.
A great story about a small man and his adventures that will leave you feeling lighter than when you started. It is out on the 7th January 2021 if anyone is tempted.
Thanks to Random things Resources and Frances Quinn for the copy of the book to write this review.
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