Marvelous is a fantastic story about a man named Pedro Gonzalez who suffered from hypertrichosis which caused his body to be covered in hair. It follows him through his life from when he was kidnapped to his death. He marries a really great woman named Catherine who is reluctant of him at first but truly comes to love him fully as time goes on. It is really a heartbreaking tale at times. We see how horrible humans are with the name-calling and abuse of people that are different. I found the whole court fascinating. The setting was perfectly written and the characters were likable and strong. I really did not want this one to end. I absolutely loved this book.

“People are people, however they appear.”

Until reading this book I’d never heard that the fairytale Beauty and The Beast might have been inspired by real people. Petrus Gonsalvus was born with hypertrichosis, a genetic condition that causes excessive hair growth all over the body. He was kidnapped and given to the King of France as a gift and this fascinating book follows his life in the court and beyond.

This was an incredible story that had my emotions running from one end of the spectrum to the other. This isn’t just a fairytale retelling, it’s a thoughtful look at humanity. There are some wonderful people who will look past exterior differences to see the goodness inside a person but also some who only see what’s on the surface. I loved how deeply this made me contemplate life and how I completely lost myself in the story. I even went back and read the first and last chapters because the story was so beautifully bookended.

If you’re looking for something different that will make your heart hurt one chapter and then swell with happiness the next, look no further.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales and I love to read retellings and updated adaptations of this story. So when I found out that Marvelous is a fictional account of the real couple that the fairy tale was modeled after I had to read it. I will definitely need to reread the original written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in the mid-18th century.

This historical fiction novel did not shy away from the reality that the ‘oddities’ lived in the royal court. Petrus, and later his children, were provided for by wealthy and influential people that saw them as little more than pets. Catherine, wife and mother, loved her hairy family and never saw them as anything less than human.

Recommended for: historical fiction readers

Content warning: court politics and religious warfare

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Marvelous tells the story of Pedro Gonzales, a hirsute man adopted into the French Court, and his family. I really enjoyed the perspectives of both him and his wife as they struggled with what it means to be different. An excellent read all around.

The tale is as old as time, of beauty and the beast. We know the story from either Disney or retellings. A peasant girl finds herself locked in a castle with a prince who is transformed into a hideous beast. He can only change back into a human if he can learn to love another person. Like many fairy tales, we often ask ourselves whether this story can be based on historical facts. Molly Greeley believes that Beauty and the Beast's origins could be found in the true story of Pedro and Catherine Gonzales, who lived in the court of Catherine de Medici. She has chosen to tell their love story in her latest novel, "Marvelous."

I want to thank William Morrow and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite fairy tales growing up, so when I heard this was a historical fiction retelling, I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I had only read a brief mention of Pedro's daughter Tognina (Antoinette) Gonslavus earlier this year, so I was curious about her father's tale.

Pedro's story begins on the small island of Tenerife as an orphan boy who the village fears for his outward appearance. Pedro's entire body is covered in hair, and he is considered a devil or a monster. One day, Pedro is kidnapped by pirates and sold to the highest bidder as an oddity; the highest bidder is the King of France, Henri II. King Henri II sees potential in Pedro, so he gives him the name of Petrus Gonslavus and an education worthy of a royal.

As a reward for his services to the king, Catherine de Medici grants Pedro a place in her court and a wife, Catherine Raffelin, the daughter of a merchant, who was down on his luck. It would be an understatement to say their marriage was off to a rough start, but Pedor shows her a world full of glamorous splendor and prejudice toward people who were considered "oddities." With the birth of their children, Antoinette, Madeline, and Henri, we also see how France changes after the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre and the fall of the House of Valois. We also get to see how different countries during the 16th century and early 17th century handled people who were considered different.

My favorite historical fiction novels are when famous figures like kings, queens, and princesses take a back seat to lesser-known figures from the past. It breathes new life into historical events and provides a fresh lens into the past. Greeley gives her readers a love story on the level of beauty and beast by following the mysterious Gonzales family.

Greeley does a masterful job of telling Pedro and Catherine's tales from their perspectives. It was a joy to read this novel, and I hope others will fall in love with the Gonzales family through this book. Suppose you want a stunning historical fiction novel full of love and a protagonist unlike any you have read before set in the reign of Catherine de Medici. In that case, I highly recommend you read "Marvelous" by Molly Greeley.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

The story of Pedro and Catherine, considered to be the real life inspiration behind the tale of Beauty and the Beast. A small boy, abandoned shortly after birth by his parents due to his hairy abnormality, taken in by a kind family. Only to later be stolen away and gifted to the king of France. Catherine, the daughter of a ruined merchant who is given to the hairy man as his wife. Two people who are forced into a marriage that was orchestrated by the queen. He, fearing his bride’s repulsion, keeps himself away from her. She, abandoned by her father and thrust into the life of this strange man.

What spans through the pages of this book is a love story that grows from nothing and blossoms into a companionship that lasts a lifetime. Through it all, you get the historical background of what life was like in France and the political turmoil that affected the life of the family and the decisions they made.

Historical romances always take me longer to read because I always look up information on the characters but i found myself sneaking in time to get back to this story anytime I could. I loved the author’s note at the beginning, mentioning the portrait of Antionette that hangs at the Chateau de Blois, which I had the privilege of seeing in person a few years ago.

This is a bittersweet love story about an arranged marriage in the sixteenth-century court of King Henri and Catherine de' Medici. The story is true, and mirrors the ever popular fairytale of
Beauty and the Beast. It’s a harsh world in the 16th century and the author doesn’t hide the many difficulties that face someone so physically different. As a history buff I really enjoyed how well
Molly Greeley portrays everyday life in the French court. My only complaint— and it’s minor— I hated the title.

This is my 3rd Molly Greeley book and I was very excited to read it. Overall, I liked the book. It was a pretty emotional read from start to finish as we follow Pedro and Catherine. I'm finding it a little difficult to write this review. Although I felt for the characters, I didn't really love them. I liked them at times and other times I was a little indifferent, and for a very character driven historical fiction that isn't the best way to feel. The third person narration kept me feeling pretty separate from the characters even as we followed their lives closely. I think my favorite character in this book was Agnes, who is such a lively character and brings a bit of life to the story. The writing is a bit flowery but also straightforward. I don't always like stories that jump around in time, but I actually felt like it helped to tell the tale and contrast the characters' feelings from the beginning to the end of their lives. This review is a bit all over the place, but I think if you are looking for a historical fiction that is very focused on characters and might make you cry, this could be a great option for you!
Overall I would give this one 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I am interested to see what Molly Greeley writes next. I hope it will be more like her first two books, which were written in first person and I think she excels in that POV.

Molly Greeley's book marvelous is, in a word, marvelous. Part historical, part fairy tale, part family saga, and all fascinating, the book tells the story of the marriage of Pedro and Catherine, the possible inspirations for the beauty and the beast legend.

Filled with Rich historical detail of the French court of Catherine de Medici, the history never overwhelms, but only underpins and unexpectedly tender tale.

As with the best historical fiction, once I finished, I went off to look up the real people in the story. Do yourself a favor, and do the same, especially the portraits.

Marvelous is a poignant tale of the life of Petrus Gonsalvus, the man covered in hair, and his family living in the French court in the 1540s. Petrus and his family have been ostracized and looked down upon by their betters in the court, and the story follows Petrus in his attempts to find a place in life and to be accepted.

The writing in Marvelous is powerful and evocative, and the author does a great job of conveying the despair and joy of Petrus and his family. The characters are deeply developed, and their struggles and triumphs are heartbreaking and inspiring. It is a book filled with emotion and beauty, and it is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the struggles of those who have been ostracized and judged by society.

The story of Petrus Gonsalvus and his family is one that will stay with the reader long after they have finished the book. It is a powerful reminder of the strength and courage of those who have been marginalized.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of Marvelous in exchange for my honest review.

Young Pedro has a condition that causes his body to be covered in hair. Kidnapped from his home in the Canary Islands, he is sold and then gifted to King Henri of France. He lives life in the Royal Court as an oddity, a specimen, a Marvel to be displayed for all. When King Henri discovers that Pedro can speak he decides to give him a royal education. The King’s wife, Catherine de Medici, then arranges for Pedro to be wed to a French girl, also named Catherine, the daughter of a merchant.

Thus begins the tale of Pedro and Catherine, husband and wife, enemies to lovers, the original Beauty & the Beast. This is a fictional story based upon the REAL people that are said to be the inspiration for the writing of Beauty and the Beast in the 1700’s.

This novel was rich in prose, vibrant with detail, and packed full of emotion. I loved every minute of it. My heart hurt for Pedro and his children, also born with the same condition. Catherine’s fierce love and loyalty to her husband and children were palpable. This story will make you both smile and cry. It will pierce your heart causing you to feel anger at the way human beings can treat one another.

Marvelous is everything I want a fairy tale retelling to be: beautifully written historical fiction with romance and adventure sprinkled throughout. One of my favorites of the year thus far!

This was a fascinating story about the real life Petrus Gonsalves, whose may have been the inspiration behind Beauty and the Beast.
Petrus was abandoned by his parents early in life and was sold around to various buyers until he landed in the court of Henri II of France. There, he received a formal education and other benefits of living in the court.
Catherine de Medici, Henri’s wife, paid the dowry of a young woman, also named Catherine, when that young woman’s father could no longer afford to do so. That young Catherine was then married off to Petrus.
This book then follows them throughout their life!
I thought this was really fascinating!
The writing is not going to be for everyone. It’s lyrical and very descriptive. It is also written in third person, which takes some of the personality of the characters out.
The author took numerous liberties with some of the verifiable details of their life, such as the number of children Petrus and Catherine had.
I also thought the story went on a bit long. I really thought the book had ended like 4 times and then turned the page and realized there was more.
Overall, a really interesting story!

This was a rare book where I chose it not because I knew the author or it was recommended but purely because it caught my eye. The cover intrigued me to learn more and the description sold me. Not only was this supposed to be the true story behind the Beauty and the Beast, but also it takes place in the French Royal Court of the 16th century. I have recently become fascinated by UK history, mostly due to the royal influence, but haven’t made my way over to France yet. So I was excited about an opportunity for a French Royal historical fiction book!

And I did love the details about living in the French royal court during the Renaissance and the interesting history of King Henry II, Catherine de Medici, their sons, and the wars between Catholics and Huguenots. But the story between Pedro and Catherine (Beast and Beauty), was a slow, slow one. It was a beautiful story of love, marriage, and family, but it was a very slow start and a very mellow vibe the whole time.

The book was very long, mostly filled with a ton of eloquent details, therefore making the story progress very slowly. I’m not even sure if I would describe this as a romance, because the relationship aspects of the book were sparse. While I did think it conveyed the very beautiful, deep love that a marriage should represent, besides a few moments it was mostly boring.

All in all I just wanted more action at a quicker pace but I did like a lot of the elements of this story and was glad to get some French history introduced.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book.

<b>Plot:</B> 5
<b>Characters:</B> 5
<b>Writing Style:</B> 5 - Whilst I enjoyed it so very thoroughly, I can see an argument for the extremely flowery nature being a bit too much for some readers.
<b>Cover:</B> 5 - Cover is so pretty, I want to choke. MUCH love.
<b>Enjoyment:</B> 5
<b>Buyable/Re-readable?:</B> Ohhh yes. As of now, this will make my Top 2023 list.

This is almost a <I>Beauty and Beast</I> reimagining, in that it's thought to be the origin story and inspiration, with historical fiction (Medici family, characters who were real people. etc). // "This story is, above all, a work of fiction. Though I tried to stay faithful to the facts that are known about the Gonzales family, as well as to those that scholars have deemed most likely, for the sake of a more coherent narrative I did take liberties with history. In places, time lines have been blurred and historical sites, and even people, combined. The song that Catherine sings is a modified translation of a traditional Italian lullaby. Animal-husband tales have appeared in cultures all over the world for centuries upon centuries. One— Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s The Beauty and the Beast— has spawned countless variations. Whether the historical protagonists in this book might have been the inspiration for Villeneuve’s story is— like so much else about their lives— a matter of conjecture, though one that sparked my imagination." - Molly Greeley

The story is written in third POV and in 7 parts that time-jump. It's told through both Pedro (our would-be 'Beast') and Catherine, his wife. It kicks off with the death of Pedro and then flawlessly weaves the tapestry of their lives in the past up to the present; from 1547 to 1619. It takes place in Italy, mostly, with a few visits elsewhere. I know how underwhelming it is to say 'it's a great book', but seriously, this is such a wonderful novel. The build-up, the world building, the interactions, the brutal honesty and exposure to life at court for living beings (little people, exotic animals, people with deformities, and so on) turned into entertainment for the privileged. It is absolutely a story of resilience. I found the changes made to be agreeable (especially those done to Ludovico).

Also? Molly includes some biology with regards to childbirth that hardly anyone else includes or discusses, so kudos for going there, thank you very much.

Molly Greeley includes sources and suggestions for further reading, as well, for those interested in extending their exploration. Always a plus.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Molly Greeley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Marvelous coming out February 28, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In 1547 a young boy named Pedro Gonzales is living on the island of Tenerife. He knows he is different from the other children in the village. He is mercilessly tortured for the hair covering his whole body. He is kidnapped and delivered by a slave broker into the dangerous and glamorous world of France’s royal court. There “Monsieur Sauvage,” as he is known, learns French, literature, and sword fighting. He becomes an attendant to the French King Henri II and a particular favorite of his queen, the formidable Catherine de’ Medici. Queen Catherine considers herself a collector of unusual people and is fascinated by Pedro. She is determined to find him a bride.

Catherine Raffelin is a beautiful seventeen-year-old girl. Her merchant father has fallen on hard times and offers her to Queen Catherine. The queen will pay his debts, and his daughter will marry Monsieur Sauvage.
Catherine meets Pedro on their wedding day. Barely recovered from the shock of her father’s betrayal, she soon finds herself christened “Madame Sauvage” by the royal courtiers. Will she learn how to navigate this new world, and the man who is now her husband? Will Pedro and Catherine be able to see past their differences and find love?

So I read the Heiress by Molly Greeley and I wasn’t a fan of it. I thought I’d try another book by her. Overall, I liked this book, but it’s not one I would read again. The initial plot is really interesting. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings. I enjoyed the time period and setting of the story. I thought Catherine was a really strong character and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Pedro grow. While the writing was good, it was also very dense and long. At 400 pages, I was hoping for a little more action. The timeline jumped around and it got a little confusing what was going on. It was also a tragic story. I was thinking it would have a more happy ending based on the book title and description. There was just something missing for me to make me love it. I think more dialogue would’ve been helpful to get to know the characters better.

What a wonderful novel based on scraps of true people/information. Pedro and his family are both heartbreaking and inspiring. What does it mean to be a family, and how to accept yourself for who you are, and let go of how others see you. The prose is gorgeous. I liked this novel better than "The Heiress", although both are awe inspiring for their full stories born out of minor details.

"1547: Pedro Gonsalvus, a young boy living on the island of Tenerife, understands that he is different from the other children in his village. He is mercilessly ridiculed for the shiny layer of hair covering his body from head to toe. When he is kidnapped off the beach near his home, he finds himself delivered by a slave broker into the dangerous and glamorous world of France’s royal court. There “Monsieur Sauvage,” as he is known, learns French, literature, and sword fighting, becoming an attendant to the French King Henri II and a particular favorite of his queen, the formidable Catherine de’ Medici. Queen Catherine considers herself a collector of unusual people and is fascinated by Pedro…and determined to find him a bride.

Catherine D’Aubray is a beautiful eighteen-year-old girl whose merchant father has fallen on hard times and offers up his daughter to Queen Catherine. The queen will pay his debts, and his daughter will marry Monsieur Sauvage.

Catherine meets Pedro for the first time on their wedding day. Barely recovered from the shock of her father’s betrayal, she soon finds herself christened “Madame Sauvage” by the royal courtiers, and must learn to navigate this strange new world, and the unusual man who is now her husband."

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Marvelous by Molly Greeley was exactly that - marvelous!

As a young boy from Tenerife, Pedro is constantly mocked and shamed for the thick hair that covers his body. After being kidnapped from the beach near his home and presented to the new King Henri II of France, Pedro starts his new, strange life in the French court, where he receives the best education - in exchange for becoming one of the court's curiosities. Eventually Queen Catherine finds a beautiful wife for Pedro, Catherine, the daughter of a merchant. Meeting for the first time on their wedding day, the pair must learn to navigate the intricacies of court life together.

I absolutely loved the care Greeley put into developing Pedro and Catherine's characters, relationship, and children. I definitely felt the shame, anger, and frustration, but also the love and support, that the Gonsalvus family shared. Greeley's writing often caused visceral reactions for me, but that only made me care more for Pedro and Catherine.

The story was also beautifully written, and I could tell Greeley did her research. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites, and it was so interesting to learn more about the family that may have inspired the legend. In truth, I didn't know anything about the Gonsalvus family before reading Marvelous, but some quick searching after I finished the book confirmed that Greeley weaved the known information about the family beautifully into her own narrative.

All this to say, Marvelous may have been the first book I've read by Molly Greeley, but it certainly won't be the last!

Marvelous comes out on February 28th, and it's one you won't want to miss if you love character-driven historical fiction or Beauty and the Beast. Many thanks to William Morrow, Molly Greeley, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mesmerizing work imagining the life of Pedro Gonzales, a man stricken with hypertrichosis in a time when the affliction brought to mind curses and monsters, and not genetic anomaly.

Kidnapped as a young boy and “gifted” to King Henry II of France, Gonzales was educated alongside the royal children and eventually married to a young woman. She bore him several children who were also covered in long hair over their entire bodies. Greeley builds upon the scant foundation of this true story to show us the vagary of oddity and the tragedy of difference.

Seeing the story from the perspective of both Pedro and his wide, Catherine, grants us a rich glimpse into lives which are at the whim of masters, one as a man viewed as a beast, and one as a woman of almost any time. Though their lives may be speculated here, I fervently hope they were able to find some happiness, even in their captivity.

With rich story telling and immersive prose, Marvelous is a feast of words.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own.

I went into this book having no clue what it was about other than the fact it was a Beauty and the Beast retelling. It was such an interesting twist to this age old fairytale and I really enjoyed most of it. The story takes us on Pedro's journey from boyhood until he is an adult. I loved how Molly Greeley started the book Catherine in her old age. If you are looking for a twist on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale this one is for you. I will make note there are a few scenes that were a bit too graphic for my liking, but that is a personal reflection not a reflection of the book as a whole. Overall I really enjoyed this story.

A beautiful and heartbreaking story! In this book we see the cruelty and crudeness of man. The oppression of those who are different than us. Also the cruel indulgences of the royalty in the 16th century. This is also a story of dreams, love and family. Based on a true story this is a must read!