Melissa M. (MemoRandom) reviewed on 12/30/2022 + 77 more book reviews

As entertaining a piece of historical fiction as I have ever read, the story of Mercy Lavinia "Vinnie" Bump is told with realism and dignity. Vinnie was a lady of 2'8" who refused to be limited by either her size or the customs of the 19th century. She traveled the world, amassed a fortune, and was feted with a wedding reception at Lincoln's White House. Her personal life was one of complex and conflicted relationships, particularly with her promoter, P.T. Barnum, who arranged her "marriage" to Charles Stratton, aka Gen. Tom Thumb. To the end of her days, Vinnie would sign her name "Mrs. General Tom Thumb," despite a conflicted and melancholy marital relationship. A fascinating story with well-drawn, sympathetic characters.

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