'The Smallest Man' by Frances Quinn
Review and Interview with author One quite striking 17th century related work of fiction that has appeared this year is a debut novel by Frances Quinn titled 'The Smallest Man'. The lead character 'Nat Davy '' is partly based on the life of Jeffrey Hudson, a dwarf who was 'given' by the Duke of Buckingham as a present to Queen Henrietta Maria ,wife to Charles I. An affinity developed between Henrietta and 'her' dwarf who became quite a valued companion . In fact the Restoration historian Jennifer Uglow maintained that Henrietta Maria showed "far more affection"to Jeffrey Hudson than the "children who were later born to h...