The True History of the Elephant Man
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Trade In this Item for up to £0.25
Get an extra £5 when you trade in books worth £10 or more until June 30, 2012. Trade in The True History of the Elephant Man for an Amazon.co.uk gift card of up to £0.25, which you can then spend on millions of items across the site. Trade-in values may vary (terms apply). Find more products eligible for trade-in.
|
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"'The authors have come up with a good deal of fresh evidence, both medical and sociological... To Howell and Ford, Merrick appeared a saintly figure. There is no reason to believe that judgement is wrong.' The Times 'Brilliantly researched' Sunday Telegraph 'A story to strike pity and terror into any heart.' Times Literary Supplement"
Product Description
Through horrible physical deformities which were almost impossible to describe, Joseph Carey Merrick spent much of his life exhibited as a fairground freak until even 19th century sensibilities could take no more. Hounded, persecuted and starving, he ended up one day at Liverpool Street Station where he was rescued, housed and fed by the distinguished surgeon Frederick Treves. To Treve's surprise, he discovered during the course of their friendship that lurking beneath the mass of Merrick's corrupting flesh lived a spirit that was as courageous as it had been tortured, and a nature as gentle and dignified as it had been deprived and tormented. This is a moving story of a tragic individual and his survival against overwhelming odds in Victorian England.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A classic tale of life in Victorian England, where deformed people such as Joseph Merrick were cast aside. This is the heartbreaking true story behind the film, which inspired so many of us to re-evaluate our own imperfections.
Joseph Carey Merrick was born in Leicester, into Victorian standards that did not and could not tolerate the astounding abnormalities of his features. Cast aside by his father after his mother died, and Joseph's new stepmother (who could no longer accept him), he reluctantly and eventually ended up becoming the main attraction at the local fairs. He would show all his corrupting flesh for those who paid the entrance fee, listening to the gasps of horror from the audience, witnessing the women fainting from the horrendous sight before them. In time, Joseph would be saved from this degrading humiliation by an eminent doctor, who later came to realise that beneath the corrupting foul smelling flesh of Joseph Merrick's body lay a most humane person. For Joseph loved to read, enjoyed the theatre, had a thirst for knowledge, and above all asked for nothing more than to be accepted for a human being with feelings and emotions.
It is true to say that it would be hard for most people in today's society not to turn away from such a sight as Joseph, ambling along the street, covered from head to foot by cape and mask, unable to communicate effectively because the disease has made it virtually impossible for him to talk. But today's society has a greater understanding of the tragic "freaks of nature" as they were known, and this is what makes this true story so heartbreaking to try and understand today.
Joseph Merrick never asked for anything in his entire life, only maybe enough time for people to realise that underneath his gut wrenching exterior appearance, there lived a decent human being.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Before reading this book I had very little knowledge of Joseph Merrick - only what I had heard and what I had assumed.
This book shows everything about Merrick from the loneliness that he felt, his love for the people around him, his spirit and compassion. It also shows his true feelings about being an exhibit in a freak show. What I found great about this book in particular is the detail that is spent focusing on the other people in Merrick's life (like Treves and Tom Norman). I found that to be one of the biggest bonuses of this book.
It is informative and heart breaking, and I for one couldn't put it down -it really is a masterpiece.
Plus the writings of both Treves and Merrick included at the end were a fantastic addition that made my experience even better than I had hoped for.
Having read this book I feel that I know so much about Merrick. I would sincerely recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has even the slightest interest in Joseph Merrick!
This book shows everything about Merrick from the loneliness that he felt, his love for the people around him, his spirit and compassion. It also shows his true feelings about being an exhibit in a freak show. What I found great about this book in particular is the detail that is spent focusing on the other people in Merrick's life (like Treves and Tom Norman). I found that to be one of the biggest bonuses of this book.
It is informative and heart breaking, and I for one couldn't put it down -it really is a masterpiece.
Plus the writings of both Treves and Merrick included at the end were a fantastic addition that made my experience even better than I had hoped for.
Having read this book I feel that I know so much about Merrick. I would sincerely recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has even the slightest interest in Joseph Merrick!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book as the story of the Elephant Man, Joseph Carey Merrick, has fascinated and terrified me since I was a child. What I read left me horrified and deeply touched. Beneath the horrifying exterior that blighted his life, Merrick was a true gentleman, with an extroadinarily childlike view of the world that so shunned him, who simply wished to be accepted and loved. Ironic then, that his 'saviour' Mr Treves, honourable as his intentions may have been, continued to 'show off' Merrick, making himself almost as bad as the Freak Show hosts of Merricks previous life.
This book is fantastic. Very tastefully written, and gives a great deal of insight to the man behind the legend. Read this and you will laugh, cry and shake with disgust at the atrocities that befell Merrick, and will forever hold the man in the highest regard for his strength of character and his almost unwavering spirit.
Not for the faint hearted, however, as there are graphic photo's of Merrick throughout his time at the London Hospital.
This book is fantastic. Very tastefully written, and gives a great deal of insight to the man behind the legend. Read this and you will laugh, cry and shake with disgust at the atrocities that befell Merrick, and will forever hold the man in the highest regard for his strength of character and his almost unwavering spirit.
Not for the faint hearted, however, as there are graphic photo's of Merrick throughout his time at the London Hospital.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Extraordinary true story of human endurance
The elephant man, a grotesque body camouflaging a fine character, is one of the oddist medical stories. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Samuel Romilly
I Was Moved
This book touched my heart. Very few have done that, one other being Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela.
Victorian England was a harsh place. Read more
Victorian England was a harsh place. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dave Kinsella
The True History of the Elephant Man
An all round good read that not only provides a detailed account on Joseph`s life but, also of those who were involed in making this fascinating and inspiring story of a remarkable... Read more
Published 12 months ago by ROR
A Beautiful Man
Joseph Merrick's life was terrible. It seems that modern day people disparage the Victorian era for not understanding his condition and gawking at him. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by L. R. Richardson
Joseph Merrick
This is a well researched book which paints the background era of Jpseph Merrick very well. It is a harrowing tale and we hear of the miseries that this poor man had to endure. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2010 by Paul O'dowd
His name was Joseph, not John
This is a fascinating story, but a rather rusty, old read. You can tell this book was written thirty years ago when things were more formal and correct and when there was no such... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2009 by SAP
good book poor condition
the content of the book is very good but the condition of the one I received is very poor, the pages fell apart as they were turned !
Published on 12 Aug 2009 by Mrs. A. Harrison
The beast within us all
This book needs only a few lines to decribe it's wonders within.
It is written in such a way that it seems ironic to admit it is both beautiful and dignified. Read more
It is written in such a way that it seems ironic to admit it is both beautiful and dignified. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2004
The beast within us all
This book needs only a few lines to decribe it,s wonders within.
It is written in such a way that it seems ironic to admit it,s both beutifull and dignified. Read more
It is written in such a way that it seems ironic to admit it,s both beutifull and dignified. Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2003
a great book!
a really good factual book, which impressed me! although it keeps on pointing out treeves' mistake in getting joseph's name wrong, it is a remarkable read with real photos!
Published on 16 April 2001 by Nathan
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
