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The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb

by Melanie Benjamin (Goodreads Author)

3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 · rating details · 6,527 ratings · 1,270 reviews

In her national bestseller Alice I Have Been , Melanie Benjamin imagined the life of the woman who inspired Alice in Wonderland . Now, in this jubilant new novel, Benjamin shines a dazzling spotlight on another fascinating female figure whose story has never fully been told: a woman who became a nineteenth century icon and inspiration—and whose most daunting limitation becam In her national bestseller Alice I Have Been , Melanie Benjamin imagined the life of the woman who inspired Alice in Wonderland . Now, in this jubilant new novel, Benjamin shines a dazzling spotlight on another fascinating female figure whose story has never fully been told: a woman who became a nineteenth century icon and inspiration—and whose most daunting limitation became her greatest strength.

“Never would I allow my size to define me. Instead, I would define it.”

She was only two-foot eight-inches tall, but her legend reaches out to us more than a century later. As a child, Mercy Lavinia “Vinnie” Bump was encouraged to live a life hidden away from the public. Instead, she reached out to the immortal impresario P. T. Barnum, married the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, and transformed into the world’s most unexpected celebrity.

Here, in Vinnie’s singular and spirited voice, is her amazing adventure—from a showboat “freak” revue where she endured jeering mobs to her fateful meeting with the two men who would change her life: P. T. Barnum and Charles Stratton, AKA Tom Thumb. Their wedding would captivate the nation, preempt coverage of the Civil War, and usher them into the White House and the company of presidents and queens. But Vinnie’s fame would also endanger the person she prized most: her similarly-sized sister, Minnie, a gentle soul unable to escape the glare of Vinnie’s spotlight.

A barnstorming novel of the Gilded Age, and of a woman’s public triumphs and personal tragedies, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is the irresistible epic of a heroine who conquered the country with a heart as big as her dreams—and whose story will surely win over yours. ...more

Hardcover , 424 pages

Published July 26th 2011 by Delacorte Press (first published January 1st 2011)

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Lists with This Book

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket

Circus/Carnival Books

16th out of 276 books — 663 voters

Historical Fiction 2011

35th out of 116 books — 652 voters

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Jul 10, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-edition , historical-fiction , goodreads-authors

If you don't see the “A Novel” part of the title, don't confuse this novel for an autobiography or a biography. Ms. Benjamin (aka Melanie Hauser) has taken the bits of available knowledge about Mrs. General Tom Thumb's life, and woven it into a fictionalized and highly entertaining story. Apparently, the actual autobiography read more like a travelogue and was a bit boring.

At 32” full-grown, Vinnie did not want to be defined by her size, wanted to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately, th If you don't see the “A Novel” part of the title, don't confuse this novel for an autobiography or a biography. Ms. Benjamin (aka Melanie Hauser) has taken the bits of available knowledge about Mrs. General Tom Thumb's life, and woven it into a fictionalized and highly entertaining story. Apparently, the actual autobiography read more like a travelogue and was a bit boring.

At 32” full-grown, Vinnie did not want to be defined by her size, wanted to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately, there were few options for almost all women other than housewife, school teacher, or spending a life dependent on family. It was no comfort when a doctor consulted by her parents when she was a child likened Vinnie to “an excellent example of Nature's Occasional Mistakes.” “He assured my increasingly distressed parents that this was not a bad thing, for it made the world a much more interesting place, just as the occasional two-headed toad and one-eyed kitten did.”

How strange that a woman who didn't want to be defined by her size ended up with a career based solely on her size. And that her marriage, from her point of view anyway, was little more than a publicity stunt. Stunt or not, Vinnie became Mrs. Colonel Tom Thumb. And she dragged her even tinier sister, Minnie, into the farce as well.

I very much enjoyed this book. However, I don't think I would have liked Vinnie very much, at least not as she was portrayed. She was very adamant about being treated as an adult woman should be, yet she treated her sister, and then her husband, as though they were children. She was bossy and sometimes demanding, often judgmental when she hated being judged herself. Vinnie was complex and full of contradictions.

There were some writing quirks that bothered me a bit. I don't know how many times Vinnie mentioned her tiny, delicate, well-manicured hands, but after the third or so time, it became annoying. And Vinnie had a habit of giving us, the readers, intimations of what were going to come. Some outcomes were too predictable, even to someone like me who knows nothing of Vinnie's actual life.

All in all, this is a highly readable and entertaining story, but falls a little short of my expectations.

I was given an advance reader's edition of this book and the quotes may change in the final edition. ...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011 , historical-fiction

I love this book! I remember seeing a picture of Mrs. Tom Thumb, aka Mercy Lavina Warren Bump Stratton aka Vinnie, and wondering about her marriage. Was she happy? This was years ago. Then when I saw this book, I had to know as much as possible.

From the first page I was hooked, even though the book is 412 books long, it galloped along. The more I learned about Vinnie, the more that I wanted to know. I could not stop reading about her adventures, thoughts and feelings. How can I do justice to thi I love this book! I remember seeing a picture of Mrs. Tom Thumb, aka Mercy Lavina Warren Bump Stratton aka Vinnie, and wondering about her marriage. Was she happy? This was years ago. Then when I saw this book, I had to know as much as possible.

From the first page I was hooked, even though the book is 412 books long, it galloped along. The more I learned about Vinnie, the more that I wanted to know. I could not stop reading about her adventures, thoughts and feelings. How can I do justice to this book in this review? The best that I can say is “Read It”.

Melanie Benjamin has done an excellent job of pulling together Vinnie’s letters, and information about her from the day that Vinnie was born to forty years before her death. How did a woman only 32 inches tall become known around the world. Vinnie could have very easily stayed at home under her parent’s protection with her younger and even shorter sister, Minnie. We would have never known about this unusually spirited woman if she had. Vinnie turned things around, she took her shortness and made it into a reason that queens and kings and other rulers of state wanted to meet her.

I don’t want to tell what happened to spoil it for you but I can tell you what you will feel. You will be shocked, amazed, excited, confused, enlightened, disappointed, sad, happy, and thrilled. I sound like P.T. Barnum, don’t I? That is because even though Vinnie was a star, P.T. Barnum also was her confidant and had a special relationship with him. P.T. Barnum was such a larger than life figure that the author admits that she had to control him for fear of his taking over the book. But Melanie Benjamin succeeded.

So come see, come read about this tiny, intelligent woman who had a mind of her own in the 19th century, see her break barriers, imagine her wedding, as spectacular and Charles and Diana, well, maybe more spectacular. You won’t always like her but you will still want to know about her. You’ll understand when you read the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to be amazed.

I received this book as a part of the Amazon Vine program and that in no way influenced my opinion of this book.

...more

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Mar 14, 2015 Debbie Zapata rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: saturday

Size matters in this world, just as it mattered in the world of Lavinia Warren Bump, better known as Mrs. General Tom Thumb. She was a normal sized baby when she was born, but after a few years she simply quit growing, due most likely to a pituitary condition that would have been easily treated in modern days. She was less than three feet tall, and a younger sister was even smaller.

Before I go any further, let me suggest that you do NOT read anything about Lavinia before reading this book. I loo ...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Ckg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Good historical fiction implants the desire within the reader to learn the facts that surround the narrative. This book does not disappoint. I finished this book a couple of weeks back and have been researching P.T. Barnum and his Museum of Curiosities since I shelved the book. I was completely unaware of Ms. Benjamin and if you follow my reviews, (which I was recently reminded, some do.), few and far between though they may be; you know about my reading difficulties. I'm not going to lie. Weigh ...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Beverly rated it 2 of 5 stars

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

From the back of the book:

"A two-foot, eight-inch tall dynamo, Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump lived a remarkable life that reaches out to us more than a century later. Taken under the wing of the immortal impresario P.T. Barnum, married to the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, she charmed riverboat gamblers and bewitched the I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin

From the back of the book:

"A two-foot, eight-inch tall dynamo, Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump lived a remarkable life that reaches out to us more than a century later. Taken under the wing of the immortal impresario P.T. Barnum, married to the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, she charmed riverboat gamblers and bewitched the rich and powerful."

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I fully expected to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. It's very well written, but I just never really connected with this book."

What I liked about the book: It is full of details. The characters and plot are well developed. Benjamin really connected with her characters and that comes through in the writing. Benjamin also paints a colorful picture of the time period.

What I didn't like about the book: For me it was too long and this might be due to the fact that I didn't like Vinnie. She is not an endearing character. Benjamin has portrayed her as cold and unfeeling. It's obvious she loved her younger sister, but she does not consider Minnie her equal. Even her concern for her sister's well being is tinged with what is good for her and not necessarily Minnie. She is cold and unfeeling toward her husband, treating him as though he were merely a co-worker than her husband. There is a hint that Vinnie does feel true love for someone other than herself, which makes Vinnie a little more endearing. However, this is not fully explored and the reader is left wondering.

To be fair, many other reviewers on Goodreads, have given this book high marks. As I said the book is very well written, it's just not my cup of tea. If you like historical fiction and don't mind a rather long story about an unsympathetic character, then this might be the book for you.

Scheduled to be on sale July 26, 2011.

...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Staciel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

I don't think that one character has made me feel such a range of emotions as Vinnie, the main character in this book has. In the beginning of the book, I was thinking, 'YOU GO, GIRL! Way to not let the size of your body stop you from fulfilling your dreams!' But then for 2/3 of the book, I didn't like her at all- thinking that she was arrogant, heartless and snobby...she says on page 256, " That was it, pure and simple; my life was onstage, next to my husband, either reenacting a pretend weddin ...more

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Oct 20, 2011 Orsolya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction , library , wishlist , favorites , oddities

Enchanting, engaging, moving, and beautiful. These are just a few words which can amply describe The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb… and that was only by page 27!

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb instantly grabs 110% of your attention with vivid imagery, bright descriptions, emotional currents, and a strong plot without the usual fictional fluff. A coming of age story, depicting self-acceptance and growth; The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is a traditional theme and yet far from it and muc Enchanting, engaging, moving, and beautiful. These are just a few words which can amply describe The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb… and that was only by page 27!

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb instantly grabs 110% of your attention with vivid imagery, bright descriptions, emotional currents, and a strong plot without the usual fictional fluff. A coming of age story, depicting self-acceptance and growth; The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is a traditional theme and yet far from it and much more magical. The story reads with depth and instantaneous character development.

Focusing on the character of Vinnie, the reader forgets that he/she was just introduced to the story and to her character; one with a strong voice and bold personality, coming alive before your eyes. Vinnie powerfully evokes a bond with the reader, thus resulting in a shared emotional up and down journey. From the first time she was called a “dwarf” to the death of her sister, Vinnie shares her joys and failures with the reader.

Melanie Benjamin’s language and text style is intelligent and skillfully written, yet easy and smooth enough that one keeps turning the pages without even noticing the clock minutes ticking by. The story never drags, even in parts which would in other novels. Basically, it flows like butter and dissolves into the bigger picture of developments and sequencing. It is rare to find a book with NO slow parts but The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb was genuinely contained and a constantly rotating, engaging, and well-developed novel. Never did I imagine I would tear up at a goodbye scene between a little person and a giantess. It isn’t even a scene I ever even considered! But guess who was blurry-eyed? My favorite chapter was depicting the death of Vinnie’s sister during childbirth. A highly pivotal point to the rest of the book, it evoked much emotion and changed the tone in a moving and satisfying way.

At times, Vinnie is egotistical and vain, putting on airs with society. This causes her brief lapses of realization but then she returns to forgetting her roots. Although this may anger some readers (and perhaps it is supposed to, as it is not the typical path of human self-advancement); it demonstrated that Vinnie is“real” and with faults, just like anyone else. This is best portrayed when she meets some “freaks” while working on a sideshow at Barnum’s circus and although she is considered a novelty herself; she is disgusted by the other “creatures”.

One of the few (and maybe only) sections I could have done without were the “intermissions”: a page of news clippings in between chapters which are obviously placed to help set the scene and setting of the Civil War era. However, I don’t feel it helped much in that sense, nor was it a must-have for the story to progress.

Melanie Benjamin remained quite historically accurate with her work despite some of the fictional matter used to keep the book moving. The chronology and sequencing was in-line with major events and thus, the book isn’t as annoyingly speculated as other historical fiction pieces. Benjamin read the unpublished autobiography of the real Mrs. Tom Thumb (which is a rather dry compilation and is more of a travelogue devoid of any emotion); so it would appear that Vinnie would be very proud of this novel depicting her life.

I would have liked the book to continue onward to Vinnie’s second marriage after the death of General Tom Thumb but I enjoyed the inside look at P.T. Barnum which debunked (based on facts) many of Vinnie’s career and life moments/choices. A combination of “Showboat”, the film “Big Fish”, and “Water for Elephants”; this novel should be the next big film (or at least, play).

...more

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May 08, 2011 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you flat out ask me, 'Do you like historical fiction?' I most likely will say no. However, after reading this book and thinking about it, I'd like to amend my answer to that question by saying that it depends on the topic. That being said, I've also come to a realization that I like books about circuses and carnie folks. I haven't' read one here on Goodreads, but if you look at my Shelfari, I have read several. I've read quite a few that have PT Barnum as a character. This book is about Lavin ...more

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Jul 29, 2014 Charlene Intriago rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2014

Even though I had heard her stage name and seen her picture, I had no idea who Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump was. Author Melanie Benjamin uses historical records to give us a rather well written "fictionalized" autobiography of Vinnie (as she is known to family and friends). Her story can't be told without being intertwined with the very famous Phineas T. Barnum and an American public wanting to be entertained. Even though she was diminutive in stature (only 32 inches tall), Lavinia Bump wanted some ...more

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Mar 18, 2012 Tabitha (Pabkins) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads , books-won , own

I received this book from a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

*on an aggravated note - I just wrote this whole thing and then the internet ate it last night - so this version is going to be shorter* Copy and paste before you click people!!

This book was definitely not what I expected. I was expecting more of a fiction feel to it but I didn't get much of that. The writing was vivid and clear so much so that I really did feel like I was in a different time. I think that is important as many other his ...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Annika rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was interesting only because of the protagonist. Had this same book been written in the same style and about a "normal" woman, it would've been terribly boring and slow.

Mrs. Tom Thumb's ("Vinnie" Warren Bump's) early life, life under PT Barnum's management, her marriage, and the very end of the book are the most interesting. There are too many slow, dragging places in this book. The story is told entirely through Vinnie's viewpoint, which would be okay, except the majority of it is in This book was interesting only because of the protagonist. Had this same book been written in the same style and about a "normal" woman, it would've been terribly boring and slow.

Mrs. Tom Thumb's ("Vinnie" Warren Bump's) early life, life under PT Barnum's management, her marriage, and the very end of the book are the most interesting. There are too many slow, dragging places in this book. The story is told entirely through Vinnie's viewpoint, which would be okay, except the majority of it is in her head so there are lots of chunks with little to zero dialogue. I did appreciate the headlines and news clippings from the corresponding time period in between each chapter, just to show where in America history we are as Vinnie's story is taking place.

Unexpectedly, this is a love story. Not between her and Tom Thumb, because the readers are led to believe that is a marriage formed out of business and strict friendship. Vinnie's love for PT Barnum was actually a pleasant surprise. I never would have thought of this, but the author's notes in the back with how she drew that conclusion did help clarify her reasoning.

Vinnie Warren Bump was no more than 32" tall in her lifetime. She was a perfectly formed little lady, not a dwarf, and from a very well-respected New England family. Her younger sister was also very small, even moreso than Vinnie. In a time in America where people stayed confined to their farms, their towns, and had almost no glimpse of "oddities" or the outside world, PT Barnum the Businessman is making ridiculous amounts of money in showing off these things. To the modern reader, the things may not be so odd (although I'd argue that IF the same American Museum was around today, it would certainly be visited often).

Vinnie knows she is destined for bigger things than her family's farm, so she takes off on a Mississippi Riverboat in pre-Civil War America. She can sing, and she has the poise and manners of a lady, but the Riverboat and its audience are crass and rough. She is abused, threatened, and ridiculed. The Civil War breaks up the act, and Vinnie, longing for more (though not necessarily stardom) contacts PT Barnum.

Barnum is portrayed as a sharpminded businessman, a gentleman, but always seeing things through the dollar sign. America is torn by war, America has no "sweethearts", so Barnum creates them in Vinnie and Tom Thumb (Charles Stratton). He captivates everyone in the world, including the Royal Family and the Lincolns in the White House.

The book chronicles the travels and elegant lifestyle of "The Queen of Beauty" and "General Tom Thumb".

Vinnie as a protagonist was a little bit "Scarlett O'Hara" for me. A bit snooty, using a gracious lady exterior to cover any blemishes in her attitude.

It's not a bad story to pass time, although it's not a fast read. Definitely worth the read for the interesting points of view and the history. ...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction , united-states , 3-stars , historical-women

This is an entertaining novel about a colorful historical figure; however, it doesn't rise much above average and it has a couple of unfortunate flaws.

Lavinia "Vinnie" Warren was a pre-Civil War celebrity: less than three feet tall as an adult, but dignified and ladylike, she made a career as an entertainer and married another little person, General Tom Thumb. The real Lavinia's autobiography was an unfinished and apparently quite dull travelogue, mostly listing places she'd been and people she' This is an entertaining novel about a colorful historical figure; however, it doesn't rise much above average and it has a couple of unfortunate flaws.

Lavinia "Vinnie" Warren was a pre-Civil War celebrity: less than three feet tall as an adult, but dignified and ladylike, she made a career as an entertainer and married another little person, General Tom Thumb. The real Lavinia's autobiography was an unfinished and apparently quite dull travelogue, mostly listing places she'd been and people she'd met, and so Benjamin imagines a much more intimate story of her life in this novel.

Benjamin's version is a highly entertaining book. Lavinia had an eventful life: beginning in small-town Massachusetts, where she was born and, as a teenager, briefly worked as a schoolteacher; to a sleazy carnival boat on the Mississippi; to her employment with the famous P.T. Barnum, for whom Benjamin posits that she felt a lifelong unrequited love. Vinnie has a strong voice and a strong personality, and is consistently interesting in her contradictions. She's flawed and, like many people, she misidentifies her flaws: for instance, after convincing her even smaller sister, Minnie, to join her in her work, Vinnie berates herself for not sheltering Minnie more, when the reader can see that the real problem is Vinnie's failure to treat Minnie as an adult. Flawed, complex characters make for good fiction, and Vinnie is certainly both.

On the other hand, the book is quite average in other ways. The supporting cast is mostly one-note: Tom Thumb is childlike, Vinnie's parents loving but ineffectual, Minnie overly perfect. The writing style is adequate but nothing special, with lots of foreshadowing that's about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The recreation of mid 19th century America is always interesting and sometimes quite vivid, but it's not the most immersive example that I've seen.

One of the major problems, though, is that the "autobiography" conceit lacks credibility. This is a novel through and through: not just in the structure, dialogue, and so on (which I can overlook, because I like dialogue), but in that it's simply not believable that the reserved, prudish, always proper Vinnie would write this sort of story for public consumption. Details about sexual encounters and feelings, when she's horrified by even the mention of sex? Private shames, embarrassments and guilts that she keeps even from her closest confidantes? No: Vinnie would write exactly the sort of autobiography the real Lavinia did write, and Benjamin does nothing to convince readers otherwise.

Second, although the book initially promises to celebrate Vinnie's unconventionality, it winds up reinforcing gender stereotypes. "I suppose it would be fashionable to admit to some reservations as I undertake to write the History of My Life," Vinnie says in the prologue. "We women are timid creatures, after all; we must retire behind a veil of secrecy. . . . Rubbish!" Later on, however, the book criticizes Vinnie heavily for her failure to coo at babies (treating it as a major character flaw) and her refusal to become pregnant. She knows that, given her size, childbirth would probably kill her; but apparently her unwillingness to risk it is somehow "cowardly," rather than common sense. This is in stark contrast to Minnie, who's portrayed as a perfect angel as a result of her more traditional baby-loving femininity.

In the end, then, this book did not quite live up to the promise of its early chapters. It's an easy, entertaining read, but not quite as well thought out as it could have been. ...more

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Jul 28, 2011 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011 , melanie-benjamin

For fans of "Alice I Have Been", author Melanie Benjamin's first novel, you are in for a real treat with her new novel, "The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb". In my humble opinion Ms. Benjamin has shown a gift for choosing historical figures who have passed from the limelight and bringing their fascinating stories back to life in the enlightening and accessible form of the historical novel. I had never heard of Mercy Lavinia "Vinnie" Warren Bump, the future wife of Charles Stratton (General Tom ...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Leslie rated it 2 of 5 stars

While I understand that this book is a historical NOVEL, I think Ms. Benjamin would have been better served to write a novel about a fictional character. It is obvious that there was very little actual historical information about Vinnie Bump. Therefore, Ms Benjamin basically had to repeat herself over and over and over. After the first hundred pages, I wanted to throw the book or burn it for kindling. There are only so many ways to convey that Vinnie was a self-absorbed person with no idea that ...more

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Jun 13, 2015 Pamela rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: literary-fiction , massachusetts , historical-fiction , biography-memoir , new-york , americana , circus , disabilities , love , top-picks-read-in-2015

I’m in awe . . . . . . Magnificent, transcending, captivating awe!!! The autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is serendipitously superb in the best and worst heartfelt ways. It’s akin to a hauntingly beautiful wanderlust-fairytale; though real as real can be.

Based on extensive research into the eccentric life of Lavinia Warren Stratton (one of few “perfectly formed people in miniature” of the 1880’s) Melanie Benjamin has masterfully created a fictionalized biography as entertaining and fascinating a ...more

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Pamela Linda wrote: "I guess I'm not your typical grandmother lol and my grands love visiting the cemetery! They think it's an adventure! Bridgeport is rich ...more
Jun 15, 2015 07:32PM

Linda Johnson Oh I wish I would have known! Awesome classic movie!
Jun 16, 2015 06:17AM

Jun 05, 2011 Tara Chevrestt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-release , women-that-really-existed-fiction , historical-fiction , vine , arc , blew-me-away-list

This is a novelization about Mrs. Tom Thumb who stood 2 feet, 8 inches tall. The novel is told in the first person, Vinnie's (Mrs. TT) and just as the title says, like an autobiography.

I was completely charmed by this little two foot narrator even though she isn't perfect. She is strong, determined, prideful and ashamed both, arrogant, selfish, and yet also extremely loving. Throughout the novel, she does wrong and she does right, just like everyone else and her narrative is very honest.

Branded This is a novelization about Mrs. Tom Thumb who stood 2 feet, 8 inches tall. The novel is told in the first person, Vinnie's (Mrs. TT) and just as the title says, like an autobiography.

I was completely charmed by this little two foot narrator even though she isn't perfect. She is strong, determined, prideful and ashamed both, arrogant, selfish, and yet also extremely loving. Throughout the novel, she does wrong and she does right, just like everyone else and her narrative is very honest.

Branded one of "nature's occasional mistakes" when it became realized that she was never grow past the height of a two year old, Vinnie refuses to let her parents coddle and protect her. She demands to go to school. This is the strong and determined Vinnie I admired so. She proves to the town that "little people" have the same abilities to think and learn as every one else and not only excels in school, but becomes a teacher.

She's got a desire to be the center of attention, however, and just settling for being a school teacher in a tiny town isn't satisfying Vinnie. Here's the pride and arrogance. She joins a showboat touring the Mississippi and has an unsavory "manager." This part of her life occurs right before the Civil war breaks out so there is some interesting historical stuff merged in here. She also makes a wonderful friend in a giant woman. This is the nice side of Vinnie. I was very touched.

From the showboat, she goes to P.T. Barnum and here her character starts to change.. and not necessarily for the better. She agrees to a publicity stunt of a marriage, gets her also tiny sister involved in show business (NOT for the right reasons), and there's a baby mishap I don't want to reveal. Here, Vinnie gets selfish. It's all about Vinnie.. except for her sister, Minnie, she doesn't give much thought to others.

But she really does love Minnie and for a while, Minnie somewhat steals the show. I actually cried at one point. Minnie has a sad story. I didn't know whether to call her brave or incredibly dumb, but it is very moving.

I used both the words "ashamed" and "arrogant." A strange combination? How can one be both? This is interesting.. Vinnie is very pleased with herself, sees herself as something really special. After all, she's had tea with the Queen. However, when faced with a troupe of dwarfs while traveling with the Barnum circus, Minnie looks down on them, considers herself above them. Is she really better than them or is she viewing them with shame? Is she afraid she is looking at herself?

"..grotesque, misshapen little people.. "

And later in the book, this made me think on the above further: In her husband's eyes one day, she sees something that she must admit to herself that she sees in her mirror,

"Hurt and determination, both: That's what it was. Hurt at the cruelties the world sometimes threw at us; determination not to let anyone notice...... Perhaps I had also recognized it in the eyes of those misshapen little women from the circus; perhaps I hadn't wanted to.."

So is Vinnie putting on an act? This really made me think about how many of us with disabilities try to cover up our discomfort, our hurt, with pride and arrogance..

There were many laugh out moments too. A scene with Mrs. Putnam was hilarious. Vinnie's wit really comes out at times. Also enjoyed her description of her husband toting around his little pistol on the train and her views on Mormon women. This review is already too long or I would quote it all.

A beautiful story about an amazing woman who defied all odds, who traveled the world, who touched lives, joined a circus, and so much more. ...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-group-reads

Knowing just a tad about the wife of Tom Thumb was incentive to want to read The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. Fiction; I knew from the outset that I would be grappling with what was fact and what was the creativity of the author. I listened to several interviews with Ms. Benjamin and also read internet resources about Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump Stratton to try to distinguish between the two. I believe Ms. Benjamin did a great job of striking a balance between what is known Knowing just a tad about the wife of Tom Thumb was incentive to want to read The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. Fiction; I knew from the outset that I would be grappling with what was fact and what was the creativity of the author. I listened to several interviews with Ms. Benjamin and also read internet resources about Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump Stratton to try to distinguish between the two. I believe Ms. Benjamin did a great job of striking a balance between what is known and what is assumed and gives the reader a fairly accurate picture of her life.

I was immediately drawn into the story as we learn how Vinnie, as she is known, is born a normal size baby but then stops growing early in her life. Vinnie is only approximately 32" but seems to be a tall presence. Imagine that Vinnie could have been hidden for what would seem her own good, never gone to school, never seen or done the things she did. Not for Vinnie. As a young woman she bucked her mother, while receiving the support of her father to attend school. Here she got a bit of a taste of what her life would be if she did not take herself seriously and demand respect. When it was time to make her own way in the world she first taught school, no easy task but using the mindset she gave herself, she earned the admiration and respect of her pupils. Yet, Vinnie yearned for more. When an offer came to join a traveling oddities show on a Mississippi Showboat, she jumped right in and never looked back.

There is so much to ponder here making The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb a great choice for book discussion. Questions arise quickly. What life would Vinnie have had if she remained a teacher? What was her true relationship with P.T. Barnum, with her husband Tom Thumb? Was her marriage to Charles consummated. How did she see other performers? Was she a good businesswoman? Should "freak shows" be allowed? Was Vinnie smarter than Charles? Did she crave the limelight at the cost of others? How about her relationship with her sister Minnie (also a proportionate dwarf)?

What Melanie Benjamin tries to do is get into Vinnie's head, to explore her feelings. This may or may not be accurate but as fiction goes, I believe the author did a good job, giving us a picture of what it must have been like to be Vinnie Stratton. 4.5 stars ...more

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Sep 20, 2011 K rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to K by: MAP

Shelves: ebooks , historicalfiction

Although I don't usually enjoy speculative fictionalized biographies, this book was an exception. Melanie Benjamin takes the little we know about Mrs. Tom Thumb, Lavinia Stratton, gleaned from her actual autobiography and other ambiguous sources, and creates an interesting and believable character. Benjamin also gives us an interesting and well-written story and evokes a fascinating time period.

I enjoyed this more than Alice I Have Been , and it's always nice to see a writer exceeding previous wo ...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Kathryn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kathryn by: Random House Reader's Circle

Shelves: 2012 , book-club-library

This was a very good book. It is written as fiction based on the truth. I wasn't even certain Tom Thomb was a real person let alone Mercy Lavinia "Vinnie" Warren Bump, later known as Mrs. Tom Thumb. It was also fascinating to learn about PT Barnum who on some level was Vinnie's true soul mate. As the author wrote in the back of the book "I believe that every novel is either a mystery, a tragedy or a love story - some are all three - and it became clear to me that this is a love story. An unusual ...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Barb rated it 5 of 5 stars

I actually listened to this book via Audible last summer while creating the art for my own book, Glamorous Glasses. Because the voice of the narrator so embodied what I imagined the voice of a little person to be, and it was so well read, and with such heartfelt emotion, the experience was simply wonderful. Read conventionally, it would certainly be pleasurable. But, if time is an issue and you are in the middle of a project as I was, don't dismiss the audible version.

The novel is the story--an ...more

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Apr 08, 2011 Candace rated it 5 of 5 stars

It gave me real pleasure to be the first person to "Like" Lavinia Warren on Facebook.

Vinnie would have been posting like mad and collecting friends like a fiend because her sense of self promotion was sure and timely. Born to a middle class Massachussetts family, proportional dwarfism caused her to grow to 2'8". A younger sister did not even make it that far, and so they were indeed well-proportioned tiny people in a family of strapping farmers. Vinnie became a teacher but realized that she was ...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Book Concierge rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lavinia Warren was only 32 inches high, but had ambitions that were not limited by her diminutive size. She was a real person, more popularly known as Mrs General Tom Thumb – the wife of P T Barnum’s famous “oddity.” In the midst of Civil War, their wedding was front-page news. They were received by Queen Victoria, Abraham Lincoln, and heads of state around the world. They were befriended by the Astors, Vanderbilts and other high society families. They were the Brad and Angelina of their day, mo Lavinia Warren was only 32 inches high, but had ambitions that were not limited by her diminutive size. She was a real person, more popularly known as Mrs General Tom Thumb – the wife of P T Barnum’s famous “oddity.” In the midst of Civil War, their wedding was front-page news. They were received by Queen Victoria, Abraham Lincoln, and heads of state around the world. They were befriended by the Astors, Vanderbilts and other high society families. They were the Brad and Angelina of their day, mobbed by crowds wherever they went, written about by reporters, the subjects of gossip and rumor, and victims of their own fame. All of this is true, but this book is a work of fiction.

Benjamin does a wonderful job of bringing Vinnie to life. The novel depicts a woman of great intelligence and drive. She is shown to be cunning, witty, talented and strong-willed. She is also vulnerable, frightened, angry, and cold, suppressing her feelings to protect herself as best she can. Her partnership with Barnum is wonderfully imagined and beautifully told. Benjamin gives us a woman who is defined by her character, not her height. All this is presented against a backdrop of historical events – Civil War, the opening of the West, and life in the Gilded Age.

I really liked this book. I was completely mesmerized by Vinnie’s story, and that of the other members of her troupe. I grew up in San Antonio Texas, the home of the Hertzberg Circus Collection. When I was a child I spent many a Saturday visiting the collection, which was housed in the main Public Library downtown. It is the oldest and largest public collection of circus memorabilia in America. There is a significant amount of Tom Thumb memorabilia; one of the artifacts is the coach custom-made for General Tom Thumb. Unfortunately, by 2001 the building had deteriorated so much that the collection was at risk. It was moved to storage and is now conserved by the Witte Museum. It is not currently on display, though the many volumes of books and records are available to scholars for research (by appointment only).
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Jul 22, 2014 Lolly's Library rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction , amazon-vine

What an enthralling novel! Now, normally I'm not one to get enthused about modern literature, the types of books full of high-minded ideals and deep subjects, books trumpeted by both critics and Oprah alike. However, this is one novel in which I would gladly join the masses and trumpet, push and generally talk it up to those that will listen. Because this is something else altogether, a book which stands apart from the masses of book-club reads and popular fiction. This is a larger-than-life tal What an enthralling novel! Now, normally I'm not one to get enthused about modern literature, the types of books full of high-minded ideals and deep subjects, books trumpeted by both critics and Oprah alike. However, this is one novel in which I would gladly join the masses and trumpet, push and generally talk it up to those that will listen. Because this is something else altogether, a book which stands apart from the masses of book-club reads and popular fiction. This is a larger-than-life tale, filled with adventures and heartache, excitement, tragedy and marvelous wonders (or wondrous marvels). And while the thoughts and personal conversations of the characters within might be mostly the creation of the author (the real Vinnie Bump left little behind as to her true feelings concerning her life and travels), Vinnie's life, her early days in entertainment, her partnership with Phineas Barnum and marriage to "General Tom Thumb" Charles Stratton, and the tragic life of her sister, Minnie, are all real, brought to vivid life by the skilled writing of Melanie Benjamin. Written in the first person, from Vinnie's P.O.V., which can be a tricky proposition in less-skilled hands, Benjamin has created a wholly authentic attitude and voice. This book is truly an immersive experience: I could feel Vinnie's trepidation as she left her home for the first time when she joined Colonel Wood's steamboat as a sideshow attraction; I could feel the grit and grime as she traveled on the early trains, sitting on uncomfortable wooden seats, dealing with the most primitive of facilities (talk about eye-opening!); I grimaced at the contrary appearance of late 19th century New York, the glamorous buildings and new technologies contrasting with the pervasive dirt which covered every person, building and street; and towards the end of the book, reading the scene concerning Newhall House Hotel fire in Milwaukee, in which Charles and Vinnie narrowly escaped with their lives, I actually found myself sweating and feeling short of breath as I read the scene. I can't tell you how few books actually manage to capture me that well. The thing which captivated me, though, beyond all the drama and danger, was the fact that the woman who lived this wonderful, fascinating, amazing life was only two feet, eight inches tall. That's 32 inches, people! Pick up a yard stick and measure it out and then tell me you aren't amazed by this fact. Her head wouldn't even reach my hipbone! (I'm 6'1" tall, just to give you a reference.) A regular-sized woman of the late 1800s, living a life of such wonder and freedom, would be someone to marvel at and admire. The fact that that woman was only 32 inches tall to boot, that she had to navigate a world so large, so unprepared for her, so full of new marvels and technology and inventions which changed almost daily, makes her story even more unbelievable and compelling. Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump is not just a remarkable woman for her time, she's a remarkable woman for any time.

I loved that the author inserted "intermissions" in between chapters, printing excepts of newspaper stories from the years corresponding to the story's action. Only a couple of the newspaper excerpts concerned Vinnie and/or Tom Thumb; the majority were stories of new technologies (the experiment in 1877 by Prof. A. Graham Bell with the "telephone" on the wires of the Eastern Railroad Company between Boston and Salem, the article noting the conversation was carried on without any difficulty; the suicide of William Godfrey Krueger, the inventor of a flying machine, in 1882, as he waited for a government pension, which was ironically delivered the day after he killed himself, the article going on to say Krueger spent fifteen years studying the problems of his flying machine, the secret of which died with him. [Talk about a what-if proposition!]), stories concerning the Civil War (the attempt to enforce the draft in New York, which led to rioting, death and destruction; the notice of secession of Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama in 1861), among other general interest pieces (an 1855 report of a healthy woman who gave birth to quadruplets taking dinner at the St. Charles Hotel, with the article questioning that, physically, the woman may be healthy, but "morally and mentally she cannot be, for no sane or modest lady would make a show of herself" by sitting in a public place and courting notoriety by producing an unusual number of children; the story about the people of Brooklyn "turning out largely last evening to hear a young lady talk politics, and in very warmly applauding the incoherent nonsense which she uttered, gave a marked proof--not of their good sense--but of their chivalric feeling for the sex." [My god, the condescension!]). These "intermissions" open windows not only into the attitudes of the times (making one appreciate Vinnie's spirit all the more admirable) but also the wonders and horrors she lived through. I haven't read Benjamin's previous novel, Alice I Have Been, but after finishing this one, I'm actually quite eager to give it a whirl. ...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Kate rated it 1 of 5 stars

In her painfully shallow novel The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb , Melanie Benjamin proves herself to be an author’s equivalent of an art tracer. She takes what already exists and creates (though I use the term rather loosely) by the addition of words to a page a watered-down, sterile, lifeless version of the real thing. Then she convinces her audience that it’s just as good as the original. A con artist. P.T. Barnum would be proud.

The most ironic joke of the whole piece is Benjamin’s title. Th In her painfully shallow novel The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb , Melanie Benjamin proves herself to be an author’s equivalent of an art tracer. She takes what already exists and creates (though I use the term rather loosely) by the addition of words to a page a watered-down, sterile, lifeless version of the real thing. Then she convinces her audience that it’s just as good as the original. A con artist. P.T. Barnum would be proud.

The most ironic joke of the whole piece is Benjamin’s title. The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb already exists. Benjamin claims that Lavinia Warren never published an autobiography in her lifetime, but this assertion proves only that Benjamin is a gaff. In fact, Lavinia Warren did author a series of autobiographical articles for publication in the early 1900s. As an aging performer whose fame faded dramatically after the death of Charles Stratton (Tom Thumb), she simply needed the money. In the 1970s, editor and Barnum biographer A.H. Saxon compiled these essays for a book format with the moderately misleading title The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb. At its heart, this process and Benjamin’s process writing the novel highlights the complexities of blurry genre with a real person’s story at its center.
For her part, Benjamin did some cursory research into the life of Lavinia Warren. However, even within the genre of historical fiction, Benjamin makes no attempt to separate the life of real woman Lavinia Warren from her performance character Mrs. Tom Thumb. Benjamin asserts that because of Warren’s reluctance to write in a sentimental or emotional way about her time as Mrs. Tom Thumb and wife to Charles Stratton, it is up to a writer of fiction to heroically fill in these gaps through fiction. More specifically, with a blatant disregard for the motives behind such an omission, Benjamin presumes that an essentialist revision of her life writing is what Lavinia Warren would have wanted. Particularly in the case of sister Minnie’s tragic death, Benjamin presumes that Warren would have wanted her feelings about this very real situation made public. As a savvy performer and businesswoman, she knew what her audience wanted to hear and to what the extent that her personal emotions should interfere with the story of Mrs. Tom Thumb. If Warren wanted that information to be made public, she would have written about it on her own life writing—a fact that Benjamin completely disregards.

What Melanie Benjamin fails to understand about the research for her main character is that it is already fiction. As one of the most public popular entertainment figures of the late 19th century, Warren was keenly aware of what was required to maintain the character of Mrs. Tom Thumb. In personal correspondence, signatures on carte de visites, and other writing that would at some point become part of the public record, Warren lived as Mrs. Tom Thumb. Barnum created the Tom Thumb and Mrs. Tom Thumb characters, and “biographical” information was widely distributed. Throughout history, this fiction information has consistently been confused with the biography of Lavinia Warren. And in this novel, Melanie Benjamin finds herself suckered by Barnum’s tall tales.

For the sake of argument, let’s give in to the historical fiction sympathizers who say that an author has every right to ignore the historical for the primacy of fiction. Benjamin’s novel is merely a remix of anything anyone ever wrote about Mrs. Tom Thumb. There is nothing new here except her introduction of the nickname “Vinnie.” Nowhere, in anything written about Lavinia Warren or Mrs. Tom Thumb, has either the woman or the character been referred to as “Vinnie.” Ever. It’s fair to say that Benjamin has the right to make up facts as an author of fiction, but it is galling to think of she appears at book clubs around the country and dupes her audience into believing she knows anything about the life of the real woman to whom she owes this concept of the entire novel. Instead of taking the time to find out about the real Lavinia Warren, Benjamin relies on the fictions and humbugs about Mrs. Tom Thumb. Like jazz, one has to understand the fundamentals before a proper improvisation can happen. Benjamin, if she had taken the time to discover the basics or question the motives behind the pieces she used as research, would have uncovered a dynamic, radical character in Lavinia Warren who constantly negotiated performance withing her personal life and is far more interesting than the spineless, confused, tagalong Vinnie she created.

Perhaps the most (or only) positive outcome of the popularity behind The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb exists in an affirmation that there is still a significant interest in the lives of women who performed as freaks or human oddities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Unfortunately, additional fictions about the lives of real women far outweigh any serious, critical scholarship at this point. These women deserve to be recognized for their considerable contribution to popular culture, and have their work acknowledged as important additions to the discourse of history, feminism, and disability in America. I hope, as Benjamin blithely suggests, people who read the novel become interested enough in Lavinia Warren’s life to find out more about this remarkable woman and others like her instead of accepting uninspired, fictional regurgitations.
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Mar 03, 2013 Lauren rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lauren by: My brother

A disclaimer before you read further: I've only read the first half of this book (about 200-some pages) so I'm not working with all of the content, and you could quite justifiably claim that discounts my opinion.

I understood from the get-go that this was a highly fictionalized account but I found it rather dull and predictable. The historical details here and there were interesting, but the characters were all 1-dimensional. Even Vinnie herself. We're never privy to any questions or doubts. For ...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Teresa Medeiros rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked Melanie Benjamin's fresh take on Alice Lidell (of ALICE IN WONDERLAND fame) in ALICE I HAVE BEEN and I loved THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB even more. It reminded me of something you'd read as a kid that totally succeeds in bringing a historical era to life--like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE or Gwen Bristow's JUBILEE TRAIL.

Mrs. Tom Thumb or Mercy Lavinia "Vinnie" Warren Bump is an unforgettable character and you become fascinated by seeing the world from her unique viewpoint ...more

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Mar 22, 2014 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Enchanting, moving, and fascinating. These are just a few words which can amply describe The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb; and that was only by the first few chapters. This novel instantly grabs all of your attention with vivid imagery, thorough descriptions, all the current events, and a strong plot without the usual fictional cheese. A 'coming of age' story, depicting self-acceptance and growth; The story reads with depth and very interesting character development. The best part of all - NO Enchanting, moving, and fascinating. These are just a few words which can amply describe The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb; and that was only by the first few chapters. This novel instantly grabs all of your attention with vivid imagery, thorough descriptions, all the current events, and a strong plot without the usual fictional cheese. A 'coming of age' story, depicting self-acceptance and growth; The story reads with depth and very interesting character development. The best part of all - NO romance!!!

Author Melanie Benjamin has already successfully fictionalized the life of woman brought to prominence by someone else, Alice Liddell Hargreaves, of Alice In Wonderland, in her novel 'Alice I Have Been'. Now with her new novel, The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, Benjamin imagines the life of another woman whose life was given over to their need for attention and fame, and placed this desire in the very capable hands P.T. Barnum. Could Benjamin be inventing a new genre? I hope so. Her subject choices are fascinating and her writing is wonderful. I could stand another few decades of novels like these. (HINT, HINT!!)

Focusing on the character of Vinnie, the reader forgets that they was just introduced to the story and to her character; one with a strong voice and winning personality, coming alive before your eyes. Vinnie powerfully evokes a bond with the reader, thus resulting in a shared emotional journey. From the first time she was called a “dwarf” to the (SPOILERS!!!!!). death of her sister Minnie, Vinnie shares her joys and failures with the reader. (This part of the storyline was so sweet, so plaintive, and so endearing!! The death of Minnie hit me more keenly than any other characters has in a long time. I felt like I lost a dear friend of my own! Benjamin is just that good at her craft.)

Vinnie lived one of those lives that beg the "you couldn't make this up" description. At a time when the average woman lived a family-centric, incredibly hard working life, Vinnie looked for ways to assert her independence. She didn't see herself as a victim or handicapped. Vinnie allowed the world to define her by her size but on her own terms. She chose to be a victor, not a victim. She brought herself to the attention to THE P. T. Barnum, and he made her a star, and then married her off to a superstar. Her wedding pushed the Civil War off the front pages for a week!! She and her hubby were the favorites of kings and presidents, and known the world over. What more could a woman want, in this era?

Melanie Benjamin’s language and text style is intelligent and skillfully written, yet easy and smooth enough that one keeps turning the pages without even noticing the minutes ticking by. The story never drags. It is rare to find a book with NO slow parts but The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb was genuinely contained and a constantly engaging, and well-developed novel. Never did I imagine I would tear up quite so much at the death of Vinnie’s sister during childbirth. A highly pivotal point to the rest of the book, it evoked much emotion and changed the tone in a moving and satisfying way.

At times, you may think that Vinnie is egotistical and vain, or putting on airs with society. But then later on in her life, she finds out that her very dear friends were actually laughing at her and her husband, for dressing exactly like them, right down to their very hairdo's. Although either situation may anger some readers (and perhaps it is supposed to, as it is not the typical path of human self-advancement); it demonstrated that Vinnie is“real” and with faults, just like anyone else. This is best portrayed when she meets some “freaks” while working on a sideshow at Barnum’s circus and although she is considered a novelty herself; she is disgusted by the other “creatures”. (I had no idea that proportionate dwarfs were so disdainful, and maybe even afraid to intermix with the disproportionate dwarves, at this time. I certainly hope there isn't such a rift now a-days.)

Melanie Benjamin remained quite historically accurate with her work despite some of the fictional matter used to keep the book moving. The chronology and sequencing was in-line with major events and thus, the book isn’t as annoyingly speculated as other historical fiction pieces. Benjamin actually read the unpublished autobiography of the real Mrs. Tom Thumb (which is a rather dry compilation and is more of a travelogue devoid of any emotion); so it would appear that Vinnie would be very proud of this novel depicting her life. All the necessary links, and proof, were included in my borrowed copy of an e-book from my local library, pictures and all. I spent hours after reading this novel, happily looking at pictures on various sites online.

I would have liked the book to continue onward to Vinnie’s second marriage after the death of General Tom Thumb, and that is my only major gripe about this novel. But I enjoyed the inside look at P.T. Barnum which debunked (based on facts) many of Vinnie’s career and life choices.

Benjamin fully explores the home life, the show biz life and the personal life of Vinnie all the while keeping the America of the 1800's squarely in the picture. The events, culture and attitudes of the period are perfectly captured. In that way The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is a vest pocket Ragtime. It has the same tremendously engaging layering of personality and history - only with a much smaller cast of characters.

I was enchanted with The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb from beginning to end. Melanie Benjamin has written a powerfully entertaining portrait of an amazing woman who lived a remarkable life. I am now very intrigued by the thought of reading her other novels, very soon!! ...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Videoclimber(AKA)MTsLilSis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: circus , should-have-been-better

I truly wanted to like this story more than I did. Most of it was very repetative. I felt as if I was reading the same lines over and over again. I did find Vinnie's imagained life to be an interesting read. My favorite parts were the relationship between her and Minnie and her and Barnum. I felt the book could have been much shorter and still gotten its point across. It also could have been more exciting. Parts of the story were boring and really unneeded to advance the story. I hated the inter ...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Sharyl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, by Melanie Benjamin, is a very engaging historical novel based on the true life story of one Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump, born on October 31, 1841 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. As the title suggests, it is written in the first person, from the perspective of the woman known at first as Lavinia Warren, and then as Mrs. Tom Thumb.

Warren was born into a loving family, but was determined to make her own way, and so embarked on the intriguing adventure that was to b The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, by Melanie Benjamin, is a very engaging historical novel based on the true life story of one Mercy Lavinia Warren Bump, born on October 31, 1841 in Middleboro, Massachusetts. As the title suggests, it is written in the first person, from the perspective of the woman known at first as Lavinia Warren, and then as Mrs. Tom Thumb.

Warren was born into a loving family, but was determined to make her own way, and so embarked on the intriguing adventure that was to be her life. First, she traveled with a small company of "curiosities" on a riverboat, until The Civil War interrupted that venture, then later performed at P.T. Barnum's American Museum, until she married the most famous little person in history, Charles Stratton, more widely known as Tom Thumb. Standing less than a yard high, Lavinia was determined not to let her diminutive size define her life as small and unmemorable. And indeed, her marriage to Tom Thumb was front page news that rivaled dispatches of the war. They traveled the world and met some of the most important and famous people of their day.

This all sounds quite grand, but there was also much sadness in their lives; Stratton and Warren did not have a natural spousal relationship, since Warren was understandably horrified of the idea of getting pregnant. She and her younger sister, both little people, had been normal sized babies, weighing in at about six pounds. Charles Stratton (Tom Thumb) had weighed nine pounds at birth! Years later, Warren's younger sister, who was even more delicate than herself, would indeed become pregnant and refuse all medical advice to have an abortion because she wanted so badly to be a mother. This proved to be lethal for both mother and child. It was heartbreaking, of course.

Their lives were both interesting and very challenging, and Lavinia found herself wondering whether or not she'd trade all this experience to be a normal size. Good thing, she thought, that the point was moot.

Warren never wrote her own autobiography, and there is no way of knowing how she felt, but I think Melanie Benjamin has done a skillful job of imagining the inner life of an unusual and intelligent woman against a tumultuous and rapidly changing historical backdrop.

I enjoyed this novel very much, and admire its adherence to historical fact. It is also an interesting perspective on a period of history that we are accustomed to viewing in terms of war and politics. ...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Heather Boustead rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook , historical , historical-fiction

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb
By Melanie Benjamin

At two foot eight inches Mercy Lavinia Bump is the perfect miniature woman. She started out as a school teacher then when she was seventeen she was approached to travel on a boat as a performer, with this first taste of fame she would continue on to become an icon during a time of great unrest. This is a fictional autobiography of the woman who became Mrs. Tom Thumb half of the perfect miniature couple.

I almost didn’t make it through this boo ...more

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About Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel, THE AVIATOR'S WIFE, as well as the national bestseller ALICE I HAVE BEEN, and THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB. THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE, a novel about Truman Capote and his high society "Swans," will be out in January 2016. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two sons. She's currently at work on her next hi ...more

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