Items related to The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno
Synopsis
Bartholomew Fortuno, the World’s Thinnest Man, believes that his unusual body is a gift. Hired by none other than P. T. Barnum to work at his spectacular American Museum – a modern marvel of macabre displays and live performances by Barnum’s cast of freaks and oddities – Fortuno has reached the pinnacle of his career. But after a decade of solid performance, he finds his contentment flagging. When a carriage pulls up outside the museum in the dead of night, bearing Barnum and a mysterious veiled woman – rumoured to be a new performer – Fortuno’s curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upside-down. Who is she? Why is Barnum so obsessed? And why has she taken such a hold of the hearts of those around her?
The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is a moving novel about human appetites and longings, exploring, in pitch-perfect prose, what it means to be profoundly unique – and the power of love to transcend even the greatest divisions.
The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno ‘brings alive the curious world of P.T. Barnum’s American Museum . . . transforming in the process the freaks and prodigies into heartbreaking people. Bryson is bedazzling, a real writer of extraordinary bravado.’ Keith Donohue, author of Angels of Destruction and The Stolen Child
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Rich with magic.... Uncovering Iell's secrets leads Fortuno to expose his own, and this subtle but profound transformation casts a spell over the narrative until the last pages. Novel and character are awakened by the magnetic Iell, who makes Fortuno feel 'empty and full at the same time. Hungry and satiated.' By the end of the novel, readers should feel that way, too.--Christine Thomas "Miami Herald "
Riotous and touching.... It's one delicious story.--Ann La Farge "The Hudson Valley News "
Ellen Bryson has found a doozy of a story to tell, and she tells the hell out of it. Earnest, accurate, entertaining--this book lets us peek into the life of a great circus, and the great circus of life itself.--Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You and Chang and Eng
Ellen Bryson's "The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno" is an atmospheric and enthralling story of one of the great, lost legends of New York.--Kevin Baker, author of Strivers Row and Dreamland
"The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno" brings alive the curious world of P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 19th century New York, transforming in the process the freaks and prodigies into heart-breaking people. Bryson is bedazzling, a real writer of extraordinary bravado.--Keith Donohue, author of Angels of Destruction and The Stolen Child
Ellen Bryson is a truly gifted storyteller whose debut novel transports the reader through time and into history itself, into characters with strange bodies but all-too-human hearts. I was hooked by every act, all the way to the novel's big reveal. Like Barnum's museum, this book deserves a plethora of visitors looking for educational entertainment.--Cathy Day, author of The Circus in Winter
I cannot remember another first novel as deftly written, as emotionally charged, as transporting as this one. Ellen Bryson's breathtaking debut makes us all believe anew in the power of love.--Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle
It must have been something, America at the end of the Civil War, and debut novelist Bryson imagines it beautifully in her inspired drama about freaks, showmen and the forces that twist our insides. Opening just after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the curtains part to reveal a sideshow within a spectacle, namely the singular attraction that was Barnum's American Museum in New York City, owned by narcissistic showman P.T. Barnum. . . . Bartholomew is a wonderful character who doesn't struggle against his self-image but revels in it, challenging audiences with his bravado. . . . A rich tapestry of romance, illusory science, criminal trickery and human intrigue. Let the show begin. "Kirkus Reviews"
This work sympathetically conjures up the backstage world of Barnum's museum and the pecking order of his Curiosities, and magically transports the reader back in time to Gilded Age New York. Fans of "Water for Elephants" are sure to want to enter this wondrous midway attraction of a novel. "Publishers Weekly"
Debut novelist Bryson has concocted fascinating historical fiction about one of showman P.T. Barnum's 'curiosities' who worked in the confines of Barnum's famous American Museum in lower Manhattan in the mid-19th century.... Bryson is a natural storyteller, and the fascinating interpersonal dynamics of her enticing characters keep readers' interest.... A strong first novel--recommended. "Library Journal"
Bryson, a proverbial ringmaster, delves deep into context, roping the assassination of Lincoln, scents of Chinatown, and heart-wrenching human misconceptions into poetic prose that captures the attention of ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages. "Daily Candy"
Rich with magic.... Uncovering Iell's secrets leads Fortuno to expose his own, and this subtle but profound transformation casts a spell over the narrative until the last pages. Novel and character are awakened by the magnetic Iell, who makes Fortuno feel 'empty and full at the same time. Hungry and satiated.' By the end of the novel, readers should feel that way, too. Christine Thomas, "Miami Herald"
Riotous and touching.... It's one delicious story. Ann La Farge, "The Hudson Valley News"
Ellen Bryson has found a doozy of a story to tell, and she tells the hell out of it. Earnest, accurate, entertaining--this book lets us peek into the life of a great circus, and the great circus of life itself. Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You and Chang and Eng
Ellen Bryson's "The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno" is an atmospheric and enthralling story of one of the great, lost legends of New York. Kevin Baker, author of Strivers Row and Dreamland
"The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno" brings alive the curious world of P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 19th century New York, transforming in the process the freaks and prodigies into heart-breaking people. Bryson is bedazzling, a real writer of extraordinary bravado. Keith Donohue, author of Angels of Destruction and The Stolen Child
Ellen Bryson is a truly gifted storyteller whose debut novel transports the reader through time and into history itself, into characters with strange bodies but all-too-human hearts. I was hooked by every act, all the way to the novel's big reveal. Like Barnum's museum, this book deserves a plethora of visitors looking for educational entertainment. Cathy Day, author of The Circus in Winter
I cannot remember another first novel as deftly written, as emotionally charged, as transporting as this one. Ellen Bryson's breathtaking debut makes us all believe anew in the power of love. Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle"
It must have been something, America at the end of the Civil War, and debut novelist Bryson imagines it beautifully in her inspired drama about freaks, showmen and the forces that twist our insides. Opening just after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the curtains part to reveal a sideshow within a spectacle, namely the singular attraction that was Barnum's American Museum in New York City, owned by narcissistic showman P.T. Barnum. . . . Bartholomew is a wonderful character who doesn't struggle against his self-image but revels in it, challenging audiences with his bravado. . . . A rich tapestry of romance, illusory science, criminal trickery and human intrigue. Let the show begin. Kirkus Reviews
This work sympathetically conjures up the backstage world of Barnum's museum and the pecking order of his Curiosities, and magically transports the reader back in time to Gilded Age New York. Fans of Water for Elephants are sure to want to enter this wondrous midway attraction of a novel. Publishers Weekly
Debut novelist Bryson has concocted fascinating historical fiction about one of showman P.T. Barnum's 'curiosities' who worked in the confines of Barnum's famous American Museum in lower Manhattan in the mid-19th century.... Bryson is a natural storyteller, and the fascinating interpersonal dynamics of her enticing characters keep readers' interest.... A strong first novel--recommended. Library Journal
Bryson, a proverbial ringmaster, delves deep into context, roping the assassination of Lincoln, scents of Chinatown, and heart-wrenching human misconceptions into poetic prose that captures the attention of ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages. Daily Candy
Rich with magic.... Uncovering Iell's secrets leads Fortuno to expose his own, and this subtle but profound transformation casts a spell over the narrative until the last pages. Novel and character are awakened by the magnetic Iell, who makes Fortuno feel 'empty and full at the same time. Hungry and satiated.' By the end of the novel, readers should feel that way, too. Christine Thomas, Miami Herald
Riotous and touching.... It's one delicious story. Ann La Farge, The Hudson Valley News
Ellen Bryson has found a doozy of a story to tell, and she tells the hell out of it. Earnest, accurate, entertaining--this book lets us peek into the life of a great circus, and the great circus of life itself. Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You and Chang and Eng
Ellen Bryson's The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is an atmospheric and enthralling story of one of the great, lost legends of New York. Kevin Baker, author of Strivers Row and Dreamland
The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno brings alive the curious world of P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 19th century New York, transforming in the process the freaks and prodigies into heart-breaking people. Bryson is bedazzling, a real writer of extraordinary bravado. Keith Donohue, author of Angels of Destruction and The Stolen Child
Ellen Bryson is a truly gifted storyteller whose debut novel transports the reader through time and into history itself, into characters with strange bodies but all-too-human hearts. I was hooked by every act, all the way to the novel's big reveal. Like Barnum's museum, this book deserves a plethora of visitors looking for educational entertainment. Cathy Day, author of The Circus in Winter
I cannot remember another first novel as deftly written, as emotionally charged, as transporting as this one. Ellen Bryson's breathtaking debut makes us all believe anew in the power of love. Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle
""It must have been something, America at the end of the Civil War, and debut novelist Bryson imagines it beautifully in her inspired drama about freaks, showmen and the forces that twist our insides. Opening just after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the curtains part to reveal a sideshow within a spectacle, namely the singular attraction that was Barnum's American Museum in New York City, owned by narcissistic showman P.T. Barnum. . . . Bartholomew is a wonderful character who doesn't struggle against his self-image but revels in it, challenging audiences with his bravado. . . . A rich tapestry of romance, illusory science, criminal trickery and human intrigue. Let the show begin." --Kirkus Reviews
"This work sympathetically conjures up the backstage world of Barnum's museum and the pecking order of his Curiosities, and magically transports the reader back in time to Gilded Age New York. Fans of Water for Elephants are sure to want to enter this wondrous midway attraction of a novel." --Publishers Weekly
"Debut novelist Bryson has concocted fascinating historical fiction about one of showman P.T. Barnum's 'curiosities' who worked in the confines of Barnum's famous American Museum in lower Manhattan in the mid-19th century.... Bryson is a natural storyteller, and the fascinating interpersonal dynamics of her enticing characters keep readers' interest.... A strong first novel--recommended." --Library Journal
"Bryson, a proverbial ringmaster, delves deep into context, roping the assassination of Lincoln, scents of Chinatown, and heart-wrenching human misconceptions into poetic prose that captures the attention of ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages." --Daily Candy
"Rich with magic.... Uncovering Iell's secrets leads Fortuno to expose his own, and this subtle but profound transformation casts a spell over the narrative until the last pages. Novel and character are awakened by the magnetic Iell, who makes Fortuno feel 'empty and full at the same time. Hungry and satiated.' By the end of the novel, readers should feel that way, too." --Christine Thomas, Miami Herald
"Riotous and touching.... It's one delicious story." --Ann La Farge, The Hudson Valley News
"Ellen Bryson has found a doozy of a story to tell, and she tells the hell out of it. Earnest, accurate, entertaining--this book lets us peek into the life of a great circus, and the great circus of life itself." --Darin Strauss, author of More Than It Hurts You and Chang and Eng
"Ellen Bryson's The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno is an atmospheric and enthralling story of one of the great, lost legends of New York." --Kevin Baker, author of Strivers Row and Dreamland
"The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno brings alive the curious world of P. T. Barnum's American Museum in 19th century New York, transforming in the process the freaks and prodigies into heart-breaking people. Bryson is bedazzling, a real writer of extraordinary bravado." --Keith Donohue, author of Angels of Destruction and The Stolen Child
"Ellen Bryson is a truly gifted storyteller whose debut novel transports the reader through time and into history itself, into characters with strange bodies but all-too-human hearts. I was hooked by every act, all the way to the novel's big reveal. Like Barnum's museum, this book deserves a plethora of visitors looking for educational entertainment." --Cathy Day, author of The Circus in Winter
"I cannot remember another first novel as deftly written, as emotionally charged, as transporting as this one. Ellen Bryson's breathtaking debut makes us all believe anew in the power of love." --Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle
Book Description
An enchanting love story set in P. T. Barnum's American Museum in New York City, 1865
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherPicador
- Publication date2011
- ISBN 10 0330518860
- ISBN 13 9780330518864
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages256
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