The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno A Novel

Bartholomew Fortuno, the World#xE2;#xAC;"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#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;a modern marvel of macabre displays and live performances by Barnum#xE2;#xAC;"s cast of freaks and oddities#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;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#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;rumored to be a new performer#xE2;#xAC;#x1D;Fortuno#xE2;#xAC;"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?

ELLEN BRYSON holds a BA in English from Columbia University and an MA in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC. Formerly a modern dancer, she lives in Southern California. This is her first novel.