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Bartolomé: The Infanta's Pet (2003)

by Rachel van Kooij

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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1221,604,388 (3.83)5
Commended for its treatment of disability, this is a beautifully written historical novel with a gripping plot, in which being different ultimately makes an already strong boy even stronger 17th-century Madrid is not a kind place for a dwarf like Bartolom#65533;, and his family has to keep him hidden in a small back room. His dream is to be able to read and write, and when he hears that a dwarf like himself works in the King's court, he is heartened, knowing that he could have the chance to make something of himself, too. Then a plan goes awfully wrong, and the king’s little daughter, the Infanta, sees Bartolom#65533; and wants to have him as her "human dog." Life in the royal palace is scary and humiliating—until Bartolom#65533; discovers the artist’s studio. Colorful, gripping, and written with real warmth, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope.… (more)
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» See also 5 mentions

Catalan (1)  English (1)  All languages (2)
I enjoyed this story even though poor Bartolomé suffers for much of it. Set in 17th century Spain, Bartolomé is not like his brothers and sisters, he has been born into a deformed and twisted body, he's also a dwarf. When his father moves the family to Madrid, Bartolomé is seen by the young Infanta princess and she wants him to be her human pet dog. The book covers the period of the painting of Velaquez's Las Meninas masterpiece in 1656.
Bartolomé is an inspiring little character, his soul sparkles through the great indignities he has to suffer, and one is relieved that he finds friends among the apprentices in Velaquez's studio where he is taken to have his dog face painted on every few days.
I was reminded of the book Wonder and also a little of Freak the mighty but here we are seeing prejudice and bullying of the disabled 17th century style. ( )
1 vote avatiakh | Oct 3, 2014 |
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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Rachel van Kooijprimary authorall editionscalculated
Parkinson, SiobhánTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Commended for its treatment of disability, this is a beautifully written historical novel with a gripping plot, in which being different ultimately makes an already strong boy even stronger 17th-century Madrid is not a kind place for a dwarf like Bartolom#65533;, and his family has to keep him hidden in a small back room. His dream is to be able to read and write, and when he hears that a dwarf like himself works in the King's court, he is heartened, knowing that he could have the chance to make something of himself, too. Then a plan goes awfully wrong, and the king’s little daughter, the Infanta, sees Bartolom#65533; and wants to have him as her "human dog." Life in the royal palace is scary and humiliating—until Bartolom#65533; discovers the artist’s studio. Colorful, gripping, and written with real warmth, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope.

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17th-century Madrid is not a kind place for a dwarf like Bartolome, and his family has to keep him hidden in a small back room. Then the king's little daughter, the Infanta, wants to have him as her 'human dog'. But life in the royal palace is scary and humiliating. Until Bartolome discovers the artist's studio - Colourful and gripping, this is an inspiring story of courage and hope.
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