“An amazing achievement. . . A compulsively readable novel, so canny and weird and surfeited with the reality of human capacity and ingenuity that I am stymied for comparison. Dickens and David Lynch? Defoe meets Margaret Atwood? Judge for yourself.” —Gregory Maguire, New York Times-bestselling author of WickedThe wry, macabre, unforgettable tale of an ambitious orphan in Revolutionary Paris, … ambitious orphan in Revolutionary Paris, befriended by royalty and radicals, who transforms herself into the legendary Madame Tussaud.
In 1761, a tiny, odd-looking girl named Marie is born in a village in Switzerland. After the death of her parents, she is apprenticed to an eccentric wax sculptor and whisked off to the seamy streets of Paris, where they meet a domineering widow and her quiet, pale son. Together, they convert an abandoned monkey house into an exhibition hall for wax heads, and the spectacle becomes a sensation. As word of her artistic talent spreads, Marie is called to Versailles, where she tutors a princess and saves Marie Antoinette in childbirth. But outside the palace walls, Paris is roiling: The revolutionary mob is demanding heads, and . . . at the wax museum, heads are what they do.
In the tradition of Gregory Maguire’s Wicked and Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, Edward Carey’s Little is a darkly endearing cavalcade of a novel—a story of art, class, determination, and how we hold on to what we love.
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Don’t miss this eccentric charmer! Little, by Edward Carey, narrated by Madame Tussaud of waxworks fame, on her strange life and times, including the almost fatal French Revolution, a prime season for heads.
Edward Carey writes wonderfully weird books about wonderfully weird things. This one imagines the life of Madame Tussaud—of wax museum fame—as a little girl. It’s a hefty historical novel that promises to be a pageturner, too.
An amazing achievement…A compulsively readable novel, so canny and weird and surfeited with the reality of human capacity and ingenuity that I am stymied for comparison. Dickens and David Lynch? Defoe meets Margaret Atwood? Judge for yourself.
A deliciously disturbing treasure of a novel. Sensual, unassumingly poignant, heartbreaking, cruel, joyous: Edward Carey’s Little is a triumph and one of the most intoxicating novels I’ve read. I never wanted to leave Marie’s side.
Little is bawdy, tragic, mesmerizing, hilarious. If you’ve forgotten why you’d even read a novel, Edward Carey is here to set you straight.
Historical fiction about Madame Toussaud, before that what who she was. She had an odd upbringing at a very unfortunate time. I originally enjoyed the whimsical style but it slowed me down after a while.
Based on a true story. I will read this book again and again.
I absolutely adored this story. (4.75/5.0 stars) I have it on kindle and audible, and the audible narrator is perfect! I’ve recommended it to my book club, a few friends, and YOU.
Gave a picture of the times.
I loved this book! Historical fiction about the girl who would become the famous Madame Tussaud. The characters are finely drawn, the author’s voice is engaging, and the story is presented in a unique way complete with drawings that add to the characterization. If you like fiction based on historical figures, give this one a read.
This was a strange book, but I liked it just because it was so different. The main character “Little,” as she comes to be known, lives through very difficult times, but manages through her wits, curiosity, and work ethic to survive. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but her ups and downs lead her to a surprising destiny.
Excellent! Loved it! Quite unusual and quirky in a fascinating way.
I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book although I am not usually a fan of this type of writing.
I loved this book. The era of the French Revolution and the life on the streets was very interesting. The story of Madam Tussaud is one that will really stay with you.
What an interesting read this was! I see why it took Mr. Carey 15 years to write it – with lots of history that is so interesting – and shocking! The characters felt real and, of course, many are actual historical figures! I did not find a single boring chapter and had to let my chores wait while I read to the end!
The historical content was WAY off. Way off!!! I didn’t like that.
very well written bio can put you in another dream world
One of my favorites, such a unique writing style. A book I really looked forward to picking up Difficult to put down. I usually don’t give more than 4 stars but this one gets 5!
Cit is amazing what she had to overcome in order to learn her craft! She was a strong person.
Interesting read