First published 1942
Charles Stratton stands barely two feet tall at age five when showman P.T. Barnum discovers him in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Barnum transforms the boy into General Tom Thumb, a miniature celebrity who performs for crowds across America and Europe. Charles learns to sing, dance, and charm audiences while wearing elaborate costumes and playing famous characters. The spotlight brings wealth and fame, but Charles struggles with the weight of constant performance and public scrutiny. As he grows older, he must navigate the complex relationship between his private self and his stage persona. The story follows his journey from small-town child to international sensation, exploring how a young person finds identity when the whole world knows his name. Charles discovers that being extraordinary comes with both privileges and burdens that ordinary people never face.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, 20th-century, biographical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, public-persona
Setting: Bridgeport, Connecticut, America, Europe
Period: 19th-Century
259 pages · Hardcover · J.B. Lippincott