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The Smallest Man

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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 Coming of Age Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Royalty Biography England Heartfelt Comedy

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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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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I loved this novel. Frances Quinn has written some excellent books. Mixing well researched historical facts with great fictional storylines, she makes 'unputdownable' novels . This one being no exception.

The biggest life a small man could want!

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Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Beautifully read and found my self very attached to Nathaniel and his friends.

Very enjoyable

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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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A good story roughly based on factual events. Enjoyed it more than expected. Narration was very good.

Enjoyable historic fiction

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