Welcome to Litsy!

After having read The Butchering Art, I attempted the ARC of Mary Toft.

Based on a true story, I still can't fathom why MT did it (psychologically and physically) and how she managed to dupe so many physicians.

The way the author presents John Howard at the beginning of the story, Howard should have seen the obvious signs and caught the Tofts out.

I bailed at 37%.

#ARC #NetGalley #MountARC

I‘m about 55 pages in, and sort of wish I hadn‘t googled this. Mary Toft was indeed a real person.

I could guess how this story would play out, but I think I would have preferred the mystery of it.

Finished the book this week and, like Gracie, I‘m still thinking deep thoughts about it. Mary Toft giving birth to rabbits? A fictionalized account of an actual event, this book offered a subtle humor throughout, fully detailed characters, reflections on a woman‘s place in the 1700‘s, medical standards, and a focus on medical oddities and attention seekers. The writing itself was 👍👏🏼👏🏼. Just a fun romp. Thanks to #tob2020 4 bringing it 2 me.

Several years ago I read Version Control, a novel by this author, for the Tournament of Books. While I liked the concept and certain parts of Version Control, I wasn‘t over the moon about it. Fast forward to this year and Palmer is again on the shortlist of the Tournament of Books with Mary Toft. It‘s amazing how different the writing and humor are from one book to the next. The subtle humor, in particular, has been delightful.

Picked these two up at a local indie bookstore. I buy from them at least once a month to support local business.

#bookhaul

This fictionalization of the real case of Mary Toft was a great read for #tob2020. There were a couple of places where I thought the story wandered off a bit, but overall this is a good look at the power of faith and belief to fool even ourselves. Also highlighted here is the war between science and religion at that time, as well as the state of the medical profession which was just starting to attain some real understanding of the human body. 4⭐️

Which of us does not have a devil that lives inside of us, whispering not what is true, but what we wish to believe, out of innocence or cupidity or a hundred other reasons? We must remain ever vigilant against that demon, ever on watch against his pleasing music.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really loved this weird fictional retelling of a real woman in 18th century England who birthed rabbits. The way Palmer wove the story together was impeccable. The actual plot and characters were immersive on their own, but there was an additional layer that explored what it means to be human, how women‘s bodies are treated, and how the truth is established. Timely and well done. #tob2020 #tob

I am just... I mean... What the... Just wow! This book is a mix of perfectly routine historical fiction, medical mystery, and yuck! I wish I could take the day off to finish it! 😁

So very good!
1726 England - a woman claims she gives birth to rabbits, thus duping the medical community and starting a sensation.
Good character development also with the initial attending surgeon and his apprentice, and their experiences in going to London from a rural community amidst this scandal.
The writing is excellent, and the story engaging. Based on an actual event! Recommend!
⚠️ animal harm

I love this kind of promise early on in a book. 💙

Lots of depth to this historical fiction featuring the true story of a woman who claimed to give birth to rabbits. Awesomely weird.

Christmas book haul! ❤️❤️😍😍❤️❤️ Want to read everything right now.
Have already started the tagged book. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️
My rainbow tree makes me happy 🌈 It was originally for a “Christmas in the Summer” party for our son, and we love it so much that we put it up every year.

Sooo I should be reading Underland right now, since my hold is due and the line for it is HUGE, but I‘m feeling way more in the mood for this weird one.

This looks like just the read to fall into.

A historical, literary fiction based on a bizarre medical anomaly. In 1726, in a rural town of England, a farmer's wife gives birth several times to dead rabbits. Baffling the medical community, this strange occurence attracts the attention of bystanders and doctors as the question the chance of a divine miracle or something sinister? Based on a true story.