Helpful Score: 7
She may have been born normal size (tipping the scales at 6 lbs!), Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump, aka Vinnie, quite growing after her first year. She matured in all ways but in height but she more than made up for that by living larger than life and never letting her size keep her from seeing the world. The only thing she didnt allow herself was love. Even though she married Mr. Tom Thumb it was a marriage of convenience and she never let herself fall in love with him or let him know her as a husband should. Heart-warming and heart-wrenching all folded into one this story will take you on a journey of the soul and heart.
I was swept up in Vinnies adventures and tribulations. From her early years as a schoolteacher to her harrowing escape from the squirmy Colonel Wood all the way to her time with the P.T. Barnum we become invested in Vinnies life. She was always reaching for the next big thing. Her overprotective manner to her sister Minnie comes out of fear of what Vinnie herself wont allow herself to experience and when Minnie sets out on her own we see the vulnerability that hasnt before been allowed to surface in Vinnie. In the end P.T. Barnum said it well with this:
And Minnie-shes different than you, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. She isnt you, because shes happy. And youre not.pg.~333
I would recommend this book for all historical fiction lovers. The contents of this book will have you flipping pages to see what Minnie will do next. It will also bring you joy and tears (yes..the tears flowed freely). I will definitely be reading other books by Melanie.
I was swept up in Vinnies adventures and tribulations. From her early years as a schoolteacher to her harrowing escape from the squirmy Colonel Wood all the way to her time with the P.T. Barnum we become invested in Vinnies life. She was always reaching for the next big thing. Her overprotective manner to her sister Minnie comes out of fear of what Vinnie herself wont allow herself to experience and when Minnie sets out on her own we see the vulnerability that hasnt before been allowed to surface in Vinnie. In the end P.T. Barnum said it well with this:
And Minnie-shes different than you, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise. She isnt you, because shes happy. And youre not.pg.~333
I would recommend this book for all historical fiction lovers. The contents of this book will have you flipping pages to see what Minnie will do next. It will also bring you joy and tears (yes..the tears flowed freely). I will definitely be reading other books by Melanie.
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book!! I had always thought of Mrs.Tom Thumb as fantasy. However through this book I learned that was not so. Mrs Tom Thumb was a very real, intelligent, courageous women who uses her miniature stature along with her voice to entertain all throughout the world. This is rather remarkable when you realize how difficult life was for her-- as she was under 40 pounds and less than three feet tall.
From the beginning, the main character Vinnie is different, early on she possesses a desire for more than she is given on her families farm. She is small and strong breaking barriers and paving her way for the life she desires.
Trains, telephones, standardized time were not in use. Yet Mr & Mrs tom Thumb travel throughout the United States and Europe. Eventually going to uncharted territory such as Japan and Australia. I enjoyed reading about PT Barnum, oil lamps, New England Farm Life in the 1800's, development of standardized time & schedules, early show life, etc. This book is well written and rich with information.
From the beginning, the main character Vinnie is different, early on she possesses a desire for more than she is given on her families farm. She is small and strong breaking barriers and paving her way for the life she desires.
Trains, telephones, standardized time were not in use. Yet Mr & Mrs tom Thumb travel throughout the United States and Europe. Eventually going to uncharted territory such as Japan and Australia. I enjoyed reading about PT Barnum, oil lamps, New England Farm Life in the 1800's, development of standardized time & schedules, early show life, etc. This book is well written and rich with information.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this at first, but was barely able to finish it. It just seemed like a really long travel journal, and the last quarter of the book was just dreary.
Shannon M. (confuzzledbooks) reviewed The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb on + 486 more book reviews
I waited a while to write this review but not because I didnt like the book. Oh it is very the opposite of that. I want to gush over this book so badly I do not have the words to make it sound how good it is.
The author Melanie Benjamin has a knack for delving into the world of true history and bringing out the essence of what should be remembered, and what I can only believe what may have been felt by these characters. Now I know its historical fiction but I truly believe the author has tapped into something.
I enjoyed every minute of reading about Vinnies life, the up and the downs. I felt her heartache for the person she ached to be and the sister she shared so many things with. For the time that she lived in that her life was so extravagant amazes me. Especially since most of those good times took place during the Civil War. In fact her wedding took top pages over the war when it took place. That to me is amazing!
Not only has this book like Alice I Have Been made me more interested in history I have actually followed through with reading more history now.
Melanie Benjamin is now my new favorite author. What does that mean to me is that I vow to read all of her books. So far I have read her first two and I have not been displeased. I have been ecstatic to read them!
The author Melanie Benjamin has a knack for delving into the world of true history and bringing out the essence of what should be remembered, and what I can only believe what may have been felt by these characters. Now I know its historical fiction but I truly believe the author has tapped into something.
I enjoyed every minute of reading about Vinnies life, the up and the downs. I felt her heartache for the person she ached to be and the sister she shared so many things with. For the time that she lived in that her life was so extravagant amazes me. Especially since most of those good times took place during the Civil War. In fact her wedding took top pages over the war when it took place. That to me is amazing!
Not only has this book like Alice I Have Been made me more interested in history I have actually followed through with reading more history now.
Melanie Benjamin is now my new favorite author. What does that mean to me is that I vow to read all of her books. So far I have read her first two and I have not been displeased. I have been ecstatic to read them!
