Description
In 18th-century London, the Irish giant Charles O’Brien arrives with a body that draws crowds and a story that refuses to stay contained. As he navigates the spectacle of public fascination and the private costs of being turned into a marvel, his fate becomes entangled with the ambitions, prejudices, and power structures of the city. Blending historical texture with sharp psychological insight, this fictionalized account explores what it means to be “other,” and how belief—whether in wonder, science, or destiny—can shape a life as decisively as any contract. Hilary Mantel’s distinctive, propulsive style brings the era vividly to life, transforming a tale of exhibition into a meditation on identity, exploitation, and the fragile line between myth and person.
Available Editions
paperback
Howes Limited, W. F.
Published Jan 1, 2014
214 pages
ISBN: 9781471274688
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Details
First Published
1998
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for The Giant O'Brien by Hilary Mantel.