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The Smallest Man

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The Smallest Man

By: Frances Quinn
Narrated by: Alex Wingfield
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About this listen

 ‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’

A compelling story perfect for fans of The Doll Factory, The Illumination of Ursula Flight and The Familiars.

My name is Nat Davy. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? There was a time when people up and down the land knew my name, though they only ever knew half the story.

The year of 1625, it was, when a single shilling changed my life. That shilling got me taken off to London, where they hid me in a pie, of all things, so I could be given as a gift to the new queen of England.

They called me the queen’s dwarf, but I was more than that. I was her friend, when she had no one else, and later on, when the people of England turned against their king, it was me who saved her life. When they turned the world upside down, I was there, right at the heart of it, and this is my story.

Inspired by a true story, and spanning two decades that changed England for ever, The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together.©2021 Frances Quinn (P)2021 Simon & Schuster UK Biographical Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Biography England Royalty Heartfelt Comedy

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Critic reviews

‘An enchanting tale about a small man with a big heart. Nat Davy is so charming that I couldn't bear to put this book down. I loved it’ (Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City)
'What a page-turner! A timely tale celebrating courage, determination and friendship, it serves as a warning against prejudice and superficial judgements' (Anita Frank, author of The Lost Ones)
‘I absolutely loved it. It's a rare thing to get a historical fiction that is wonderfully researched, pitch-perfectly voiced and unputdownable, but this is the real deal. A perfectly formed masterpiece. I raced through it’ (C.S. Quinn, author of The Bastille Spy)
'I adored Nat Davy’s witty narrative as his personal struggles and triumphs unfolded alongside the compelling events of a troubled court and a Queen in jeopardy. I found myself rooting for the Smallest Man in England from the very first page' (Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose)
All stars
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Twists and turns and surprises , really loved this book. Great to listen to and can recommend .

Awesome

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I didn’t know whether I would enjoy a book written during the English Civil War, that not being a period of history that I knew much about.

This book however is told with such humour, detail, sadness and romance and then throw in a very good narrator, and I found it all very entertaining and not a little informative. I suspect a great deal of research has gone into this book, I know I’ll be googling some of the terms mainly the news book: I didn’t know such a thing existed before.

Anyway highly recommended Christmas read for everybody.

Very interesting telling of an interesting time.

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I love a story based on real life and this did not disappoint. Most things about the Civil War seem to concentrate on Charles I and/or Oliver Cromwell so it was good to get a totally different perspective focussing on Nat’s experience of life with the queen. The narration was excellent and I couldn’t stop listening as I really wanted to know what happened to Nat - he’s a great character who really did make the most of the cards life had dealt him.

Loved this!

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The narration was excellent. Captivating story. I couldn't wait for my the next chapter to come. Fantastic story is a life

Excellent

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Fantastic insight into the worlds of 17th century London and that of survival of a good hearted, determined dwarf. Truly believable, well narrated, could not stop listening to this.

One of the best books I have ever listened to....

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Loved this! Such a fascinating story told through the eyes of a lovable hero who you can’t help but root for. It also wears its research lightly - I picked up so much about the English civil war (which I somehow missed learning at school) without realising it which is a sign of outstanding historical fiction. Perfect choice of narrator, too - this was read beautifully. Wholeheartedly recommend!

Enjoyable and absorbing with excellent narrator

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I guess that this was written for children and adults alike and it's a reasonably interesting tale, if a little too long. The story and narrator are "nice" in equal measure so a useful antedote to some of those English Civil War gorefests. Read it and you won't be offended but you might struggle to say that you enjoyed it.

Harmless and Gentle

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Alex Wingfield did a brilliant job reading this book. This was my second audio book that I've enjoyed not only because I loved the content but because the performance was outstanding.
👏
''I want you to remember something, Nat. You're small on the outside. But inside you're as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won't go far wrong in life"
🐎
This book surprised me so much. I wasn't very keen to pick this book up, probably because I am not a big fan of historical fiction... However, choosing this book was the best decision in a while. It became one of my favourite books.
📚
If you didn't read this yet, do it and you will be surprised... I worked 2 long days and I managed to finishe this book in those 2 days. I couldn't put it down...

I loved this book

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If you like books which immerse you with descriptive scenes, this isn’t it.
In essence the story is a good idea but it not written to grip you. Unfortunate.

Just a bit meh

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A wonderful story of life at the court before and during the civil wars

Totally engaging

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