The Giant, O'Brien - Couverture souple

The year is 1782; the place, London: centre of science and commerce, home to the newly rich and magnet to the desperately poor-among whom is the Giant, O'Brien, a freak of nature. He is a man of songs and stories who believes in ancient myths. He has come to London to exhibit his size for money. He has also, he discovers, come there to die.

His opposite is a man of science, a society surgeon, the famed anatomist John Hunter, employer of a legion of grave robbers. He lusts after the Giant's corpse. Coin is offered, but the Giant refuses. He will be buried; he will assume his throne in heaven. But money changes hands as friends are bribed. The Giant sickens, dies. Today, his bones may be viewed by any curious stranger who visits Hunter's London museum.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Hilary Mantel is the author of seven previous novels, including An Experiment in Love, A Change of Climate, and A Place of Greater Safety. She lives in England.