The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb: A NovelFor anyone who loves the historical novels of Sara Gruen, Geraldine Brooks, and E. L. Doctorow, a barnstorming tale of an irrepressible, brawling, bawdy era and the remarkable woman who had the courage to match the unique spirit of America’s Gilded Age. She was only two feet, eight inches tall, but more than a century later, her legend reaches out to us. As a child, Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Warren Bump was encouraged to live a life hidden away from the public. Instead, she reached out to the immortal impresario P. T. Barnum, married the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, and became the world’s most unexpected celebrity. Vinnie’s wedding captivated the nation, preempted coverage of the Civil War, and even ushered her into the White House. But her fame also endangered the person she prized most: her similarly sized sister, Minnie, a gentle soul unable to escape the glare of Vinnie’s spotlight. A barnstorming novel of the Gilded Age, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is the irresistible epic of a heroine who conquered the country with a heart as big as her dreams—and whose story will surely win over yours. Look for special features inside. Join the Circle for author chats and more. BONUS: This edition contains a timeline, an interview with Melanie Benjamin, and an excerpt from Melanie Benjamin's Alice I Have Been. |
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Common terms and phrases
arms asked audience baby Barnum began Billy Birch Bleeker boat breath Bridgeport Brooklyn Daily Eagle Carlotta carriage cartes de visites chair Charles Stratton child Colonel Wood dear doll door dress eager eyes face fear Feinway felt filled finally find fine fingers fire first five floor gaslights gaze hair hand happy head heard heart husband imagine joice Heth knew lady laughed Lavinia Warren looked Mama and Papa Middleborough mind miniature Minnie Minnie's Miss Bump Miss jenny Lind mother Museum never night nodded Nutt once onstage P. T. Barnum Phineas Taylor Barnum remember replied seat shook shoulder simply sing sister skirts smile someone soon stared suddenly sure Sylvia talk tears tell thing thought Thumb tiny told Tom Thumb took train tried turned Vinnie voice wagon walk wedding whispered woman wonderful