The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno A Novel [Paperback]

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 Museuma modern marvel of macabre displays and live performances by Barnum's cast of freaks and odditiesFortuno 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 womanrumored to be a new performerFortuno's curiosity is piqued. And when Barnum asks Fortuno to follow her and report back on her whereabouts, his world is turned upsidedown. Why is Barnum so obsessed with this woman? Who is she,really? And why has she taken such a hold of the hearts of those around her?

The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortunois a moving novelabout human appetites and longings. With pitch-perfect prose, Ellen Bryson explores what it means to be profoundly unique and the power of love to transcend even the greatest divisions.

1. Bartholomew believes he has a gift in his natural thinness and self-control. What other gifts does he possess? How would you characterize him? How does his character change from the beginning of the novel to the end?

2. What kinds of hunger are stirred in this book? Which characters are driven to extremes by their desire and which choose to moderate themselves?

3. Bartholomew Fortuno asserts, [Our] destiny insists we use our gifts to show others who they really are or show them what, in an ideal world, they could become. It may shock them at first, but, deep down, we open their eyes to greater possibilities. Iell argues, I do not believe we educate our audiences. I believe we enlighten them and, in doing so, make them feel better about the dullness of their own lives. We don't open their eyes, Mr. Fortuno, we give them permission to keep them shut. Do you believe spectacles like Barnum's AlS•