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Synopsis
'There is a space between life and death: it's called waxworks' Born in Alsace in 1761, the unsightly, diminutive Marie Grosholtz is quickly nicknamed "Little." Orphaned at the age of six, she finds employment in the household of reclusive anatomist, Dr Curtius. Her role soon surpasses that of mere servant as the eccentric doctor takes an interest in his newfound companion, and begins to instruct her in the fine art of wax modelling.
From the gutters of pre-revolutionary France to the luxury of the Palace of Versailles, from clutching the still-warm heads of Robespierre's Terror to finding something very like love, Little traces the improbable fortunes of a bloodstained crumb of a thing who went on to shape the word... New & Used
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What Reviewers Are Saying
What a fascinating book following the, largely biographical, tale of Little (Marie) - more famously known as Madame Tussaud.
From her early childhood in Switzerland where she is left orphaned, following her mother's suicide, to her subsequent move to Paris in the company of Dr Curtius the book literally follows her from birth to death.
Dr Curtius has a talent for waxwork and recreating body parts - a Little/Marie learns from him they start to create a business in Paris recreating people's likeness (quite a curiosity in the days before photography). Sadly the doctor quickly becomes enthralled by the widow with which they find lodgings and Little is somewhat sidelined. When the opportunity for Little to go to the Palace of Versailles arises the widow is happy to see the back of her.
The streets of Paris come alive in this book - as it rushes towards the French Revolution - and what a lawless, filthy and rancid place in seems. Miraculously Marie survives the Revolution and following the death of her mentor she takes the business to London.
This book is full of fascinating illustrations (lots of body parts and ugly citizens) and, despite the unusual subject matter, was a really easy read which I devoured in the space of a couple of days.
It seems almost too quirky to be real but then fact is often stranger than fiction!
From her early childhood in Switzerland where she is left orphaned, following her mother's suicide, to her subsequent move to Paris in the company of Dr Curtius the book literally follows her from birth to death.
Dr Curtius has a talent for waxwork and recreating body parts - a Little/Marie
The streets of Paris come alive in this book - as it rushes towards the French Revolution - and what a lawless, filthy and rancid place in seems. Miraculously
This book is full of fascinating illustration
It seems almost too quirky to be real but then fact is often stranger than fiction!
'A story wondrous fine, full of terrors and marvels.'--Kirkus, Starred Review 'Iremonger torques and tempers our memories of Dickensian London into a singularly jaunty and creepy tale of agreeable misfits. Read it by gas lamp, with a glass of absinthe at your wrist and a fireplace poker by your knee.'--Gregory Maguire, author of WICKED