The Queen's Prophet

by Dawn Patitucci

Inspired by Velázquez’s baroque masterpiece, Las Meninas, The Queen’s Prophet is an imagined account of the dwarfess Maribarbola of Spain and her struggle for survival and self-determination at a time when dwarfs were kept by aristocracy as pets, prophets, and good luck charms.

When her caretaker dies, the German dwarfess Mari is forced to work as a fraudulent prophet for a traveling magician, who betrays her by selling her to the Queen of Spain. At the royal court in Madrid, Mari finds herself in a bizarre, enchanted world, a society culturally splendid but intellectually isolated. There she becomes Maribarbola, prophet to the Queen, and, her survival at stake, endeavors to outsmart the Spaniards.

Mari’s wits and loyalties are tested as she becomes embroiled in palace intrigue alongside the politically embattled Queen. When Mari’s carefully schemed prophecies dazzle all of Spain, she and the Queen climb to intoxicating and dangerous heights of power. But even as Mari survives and thrives at the Spanish court, the loss of identity she suffers from living a lie makes her question whether she is really surviving at all.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Spain, Book Club, Adult Fiction, Audiobook

384 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2017

About the author

Dawn Patitucci is a community college professor from Illinois. The Queen's Prophet (Turner Publishing, 2017), her adult fiction debut depicting the lives of royal dwarfs in 1650s Spain, was selected for TED's 2017 Winter Reading List: 56 Books You Won't Be Able to Put down. Domino's Tree House (WorthyKids, 2023) is her children's debut. Inspired by the author's love of home improvement and the whimsical picture books of her childhood, and beautifully illustrated by Francisco Fonseca, Domino's Tree House is the story of a boy whose compulsion to expand and improve his tree house sends him spiraling to the moon—where a stark reality awaits.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mari's long time caretaker passes away and this leaves her with a dilemma: find work elsewhere as her caretaker's family does not want her or be placed in a home. Mari is a dwarf who has been with her mistress for a long time and the life of a dwarf can be very rough. On an outing into town she meets a traveling magician who tells her she can work with him as a prophet. Seizing the opportunity to earn an income and have her fate in her own hands she takes him up on this offer. Mari soon learns that the offer is too good to be true as the Magician double crosses her and she is sold to the Queen of Spain. At the time (1600's), the aristocracy believed dwarfs to be prophets and good luck charms.

The Queen hopes to use Mari as a prophet and also to spy on her husband. It is not long before Mari gets involved intrigue, secret alliances and scandal. She must use her wits to stay ahead of others at court who would love to show her as being a false prophet. Mari must use her wit when making prophecies and avoid being outed as a fraud. She learns that court can be a lonely place. One never knows who has a secret agenda, if there are hidden truths, hidden alliances, hidden enemies, if you are being tricked or fed false information. Mari often has to think fast on her feet to stay ahead of the game. Along the way she begins to realize that what she thought she knew about a certain character at court - she did not as she did not have the entire story. I have often seen dwarfs portrayed as buffoons/clowns at court and it was nice to see Mari be treated as a valuable member of the Queen's cabinet. I appreciated that Mari was a fast thinker and played an important role in court. She is capable and cunning - and she needs to be as she is not really a prophet but a woman trying to survive while living a lie.

This debut novel was inspired by Velázquez’s Las Meninas. This book gives the reader a unique look at King Phillip and Queen Margarita of Spain through the eyes of Mari. Not only was life rough for a woman in the 1600s but it was even more dangerous and hard for a dwarf. The Author has done a great deal of research in writing her book and does explain in her Author's note when and why she took liberties. I enjoyed the Author's unique way of telling history through the eyes of the Queen's dwarf. While reading this book I thought of Ursula Hegi's Stones from the River which also focuses on a dwarf and her story. Please not these book are not alike but as it is rare to read the story of a dwarf, and I could not help but think of another book I have previously read about a female dwarf character.

I could not decide between a 3.5 and 4 star rating so I rounded up to a 4.

I received a copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

[Emelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC...what an interesting book !

[MAP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

So I may have a slight bias towards this book, because I swear it was written specifically for me. I have been obsessed with Velazquez's work since high school, and I've always been frustrated with the dearth of books/movies/anything focusing on the particular time and place in which he lived and worked.

In summary, Philip IV and his wife (and niece), Mariana, rule over the last vestiges of the Spanish Empire. Despite being only 2 generations post-Philip II, the dashing and incredibly powerful King of Spain who smashed Mary Tudor's heart into pieces before setting his sights on Elizabeth I (blech), Philip IV's empire, as well as his genetic code, is crumbling. The country is in turmoil, Catalan terrorists plot against them, there are plenty of miscarriages but no legitimate heir, and the royal coffers are empty. However, like many royal households of the time, the King and Queen employ dwarves as entertainment and companions. Maria Barbara, a German, is brought to court to serve the Queen, where she becomes MariBarbola, a prophet and seer. She is quickly sucked into the intrigues and dangers of court life and must learn to play the game in order to aid her Queen - and herself.

This book is a definite page turner. My heart was in my throat several times throughout the book, trying to figure out how Maribarbola was going to save herself. It reminded me a lot of reading the Game of Thrones books, where the political intrigue is so twisted and the characters all so likely to be hiding secrets that you end up squinting suspiciously at every person who crosses Mari's path, unsure of who to trust or what game they're playing. Although Patitucci admits in the afterword that several people and timelines had to be jostled around for the sake of plot, she is honest and forthright about what she changes, which I always appreciate because some authors are unwilling to fess up to inaccuracies. And the plot is WELL worth a few character assassinations (though the people they're based on may disagree.) I never knew where the plot was going to take us next, and felt that the characters were expertly fleshed out into real people with real, complex, often grey motivations. It's hard not to sympathize with every person in the book, even when they're being sneaky schemers. My only teeeeensy complaint is that Velazquez himself just isn't in it that much. Since Velazquez is famous for being one of the only painters to paint dwarves, "buffoons," and commoners in general with great dignity, I had assumed we would see some of that interaction. But oh well.

Finally, it's the rarest of all books: a novel, with a female protagonist, that DOES NOT HAVE a romantic subplot. Hurrah!

5 enthusiastic stars.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! This is the one I’d been waiting for! I just love a book that I cannot put down – and The Queen’s Prophet is it! Love the characters. Love the story. It’s a charming mix of drama, suspense, and humor – and perfectly intriguing for anyone who loves to get caught up in a good story. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Thank you D. Patitucci for this little gem!

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to “The Queen’s Prophet” because of its tie in with a famous painting however Velasquez’s art is peripheral to the story. The real strength of the book is Patitucci’s exploration of prejudice and how it effects lives, in this case dwarfism is at the heart of action. Mari, the main protagonist, lands in Spain via her native Germany. She’s cast in the role of seer to Queen Margarita of Spain and is embroiled in many intrigues and power plays.

Patitucci creates lively believable characters and brings the time (17th century) alive. She’s also skilled at looking at the motivations behind the action as well as the interpersonal loves and hates...even the boredom that occasionally plaques such a court. Besides painting she touches on other art forms and activities as they were practiced at the time such as theater, feasting, outrageous fashion, hunting, religious life and beliefs in sorcery, etc.

Thank you to the publishers fore providing an advance reader’s copy.

3.5/5 stars

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was a surprise! Mari is one of the most interesting characters I've read in a long time. A dwarfess who is sold (!) to the Queen of Spain, she is one tough cookie. Imagine this happening to you when you are middle aged and have always lived in Germany. Even in the weirdest of circumstances, the Spanish royal court in the 1600s, she's able to maneuver and keep her self strong. Well researched and wonderfully written, this one will draw you in and keep you reading not only because of Mari but also because of the terrific details. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. This is perfect for fans of historical fiction- especially for those looking for something very different.

[Inge Janse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lieve Inge,

Kun je stoppen met op formules gebaseerde historische romans te lezen, de McDonalds van de literatuur, de Ravensburger van het schrijven? Het valt altijd tegen. Vroeger. Nu. En in de toekomst.

Want je weet al wat er gaat gebeuren, toch? Overdadige historische details, vooral over het eten en de kleren. Geautomatiseerde dialogen. Personages met de overtuigingskracht van papier-maché. En een aantal pagina's dat van tevoren gedefinieerd is en wat koste wat het kost gehaald moest worden, ongeacht hoeveel totaal onlogische of onnodige gebeurtenissen dat ook vereist.

Laat je niet meer in de luren leggen door gimmicks als dwergen of de zweem van inzicht in hoe het vroeger was. Of door een schrijfstijl en een hoofdstukopbouw die enorm verslavend werken. Doe gewoon moeite voor iets dat wel die moeite waard is. Oké? Oké.

Names alle toekomstige versies van jezelf: bedankt.

Inge

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maria-Barbara is middle aged when the Countess of Walther, her owner, dies. The Countess’s family doesn’t want her, which leaves her future up in the air. On a trip into town, Mari encounters a traveling street magician who quite quickly convinces her that she could make a living as a seer. Mari takes him up on it, figuring that making her own living, even as a fraud, beats an unknown future. Middle-aged dwarfs are not in high demand in 1600s Germany.

Dwarfs of whatever age, however, are in demand in the Spanish court. They are entertainers, dancers, buffoons, good luck charms. The Queen has heard that Mari is a prophet. In a court where everyone is plotting, a good luck charm and prophet can be very useful. Mari is terrified; she knows nothing about prophecy. What will happen when they find out she is a fraud? Some good luck, some knowledge of astronomy and math, and a quick mind help her make her place secure, at least as secure as anyone can be in a court full of intrigue and backstabbing. Even the Queen is insecure.

The story was inspired by a painting by Velasquez, ‘Las Meninas’, in which the focal point is the beautiful Infanta of Spain, but rather than focus on her or the Queen, the author chose Maribarbola, who stands to the side of the painting. This outsider’s view of the court has a very different feel from what it would have if the author had made the Queen the protagonist. The story also takes liberties with time; she condenses several years into a short time, making for more exciting reading.

The author paints the court of King Philip and his niece/wife Queen Mariana vividly, bringing it to life with lush descriptions of the clothing, the buildings, the plantings, the food, the drink. Lots of food and drink. I knew nothing about this period but found it extremely interesting and I was completely drawn into the story. Mari came to life with her fears, her triumphs, her physical pains, her hangovers, and her concern for the Queen. Four and a half stars.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the reign of King Philip IV of Spain, this is a tale of the Spanish Court as seen through the eyes of one of the Queen's entourage - her dwarf, Maribarbola.

The story follows the early years of Maria Barbola in private service (1626 - 1654), and then upon the death of her mistress, Mari (as she will henceforth be known), embarks on a new course. She meets up with Udo the magician in a marketplace and travels with him to France under the guise of a seer. Dwarves were often thought to have the power of second sight and were often employed as seers or prophets. As mentioned above, their feelings were often ignored, as Mari soon finds out when Udo sells her to the agent of the Queen of Spain, Mariana of Austria (1634 - 1696), and she finds herself amidst the turbulence of the Spanish royal court (1651).

read full review here @ Melisende's Library

[Benjamin Bookman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. I was interested from the first to the last page. I love stories based of images, and the use of a painting as inspiration is well done here. I wish the complete painting was included in the book, but minor quibble. The book is clearly not historically accurate, which the author fully acknowledges, so I can't be too picky about that either, although it was clear even to a non-expert in the era that some liberties were being taken. A few language/writing repetition patterns that irked me a tad as well, but considering that this is a debut novel, I generally found the writing quality pretty high and would read more by this author for sure. Very well done.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sympathetic protagonist, a dwarf named Mari. Enough to keep me reading just from the viewpoints of the 1600's and that of a dwarf. But towards the end we get a hint that maybe the rebels are right to rebel and it made my heart sink that Mari was so devoted to one of the two most powerful people in the country that could do something to right wrongs but didn't.

The ending was unsatisfying.

Worth being read once but not owning.

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giveaway win that magically vanished.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based in a time in history that I do not know a lot about. The author enabled the reader to flow right into the story and characters even for one not familiar. A highly recommended read.

[Elizabeth Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good I wished it would never end. A fantastic story about an often untold era of Spanish history. Mari's struggles as a dwarf always felt authentic, but never the overly maudlin self-pity that historical novels about a person experiencing injustice often stray into. She's a real person, not a stand-in for general struggle.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had originally classed this as non-fiction, but it is not. It's a fictionalised account of the life of someone who actually existed, and who is in a famous painting. I've never seen the painting, but I'm Dutch, and when I visited the Siglo D'Oro exposition in a Berlin museum a couple of years ago I realised that Dutch museums and art education leave out this period of Spanish art as a matter of course. Even centuries after that war/rebellion/whatever.

So. This book. Is terrible. Obviously, between historically accurate events, the main character had to be entirely invented, and the author did a very bad job. The Mary character is just completely unbelievable. She is constantly worried, yet she is naive and stays naive throughout the book, even if the author claims that her soul is now black. She does a lot of that, that thing you're thought not to do in creative writing class. Telling instead of showing. I was at 3 stars until I was about 2/3 of the way through, where the absurdity gets to another level, more intrigue added where the story doesn't call for it.

I listened to the book, which didn't improve matters. The way the characters are voiced is so strange. I don't see why you would give any characters terrible Spanish or German accents, when, for the purposes of the book, their words are in English.

Dios mio! Que terribile! With an extra eye roll from me.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely done; had intrigue and suspense around how this woman was going to survive in that highly toxic, political and dangerous world -- and she was basically set up to fail, "sold" as a prophet at a time when dwarfs were bought by nobility as pets, prophets, and lucky charms. And one false step could land her in the Inquisition's torture chamber! It was also really fascinating that these were real people -- I love that with well-researched historical fiction -- and that the author got the idea for this novel from that famous Velasquez painting. A great debut novel!

[Rosalie Blowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different perspective, same palace intrigue.

What attracted me to this historical fiction was the fact that the protagonist was a dwarfess (pretty sure this is a non PC term since auto-correct has changed it twice). It interested me that the author was inspired by seeing palace dwarfs in a famous 17th century Spanish painting. She admits in the comments that the period she covers in the novel was a fairly quiet period in the later years of an obscure king, Philip IV,

The action in the narrative was pretty standard stuff. It reminded me of TV series ranging from Game if Thrones, to Victoria, to the Crown, and even to House of Cards. Mistrust abounds. Cowardice, self-interest, loyalty and disloyalty, opulence, decadence make for the background of the action. While the author wrote of universal issues facing dwarfs, I came away with very little (pardon the pun) I didn’t already know about dwarfs. Thus, I was disappointed.

[Linda Edmonds Cerullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Exquisite writing, lush descriptions of court life with a unique perspective by a female dwarf assigned to be the queen's prophet. Mari has no ability to foretell the future but through a series of fortuitous events she comes to the attention of the rivals working for the king. This book details what a delicate balance existed in royal courts and the dangers of rising to a position of prominence in any way -- thereby angering hostile figures who are looking out for their own interests. Mari is a woman who would rather not be a hero, but who ultimately saves not only her own life, but others within the court. With this lavish tale inspired by Velazquez' painting "Las Meninas", Dawn Patitucci is an author to look out for in the future.

[Bob Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. It sounded like a pretty interesting idea based on Maria Barbola, a court dwarf during the reign of King Philip IV of Spain and one of the subjects of Velezquez' famous painting, "Las Meninas". For a chest of silver she was bought from a traveling magician for her gift of prophecy to serve the queen and become an advisor and companion, helping to navigate the treacherous politics and intrigues of the royal court. There was plenty of good material in there, but I grew bored of the story. I couldn't work up too much interest. Maria never seemed to grow (so to speak) to the level I was expecting. The queen was a selfish bore. Maybe the last part of the book was a rollicking good time, but I had to check out.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was indeed (as other reviews have mentioned) a very different kind of a story. Rather than being a story of one of the dwarves in Las Meninas by Velázquez, I felt that it was an insight into the two that featured in it - both Maribarbola and Nicolasito Pertusato. Reading this led me to research the painting, the characters in it and the events which took place during this point in history. Although the story isn’t necessarily based upon fact and rather was inspired by the painting, I thoroughly enjoyed Dawn Patitucci’s interpretation of the machinations of the Spanish Court and how well meaning pious people such as Maribarbola inevitably became swept up in the corruption.

[lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been interesting, but it was so boring I had a very hard time with it. I forced myself to finish it (what else am doing right now?) but I was bothered by the portrayal of Mari, and the huge historical inaccuracies (which the author acknowledges). The author does try to remember that certain things would have been different for Mari to experience, but there was something inauthentic about Mari’s view of life, both literal and philosophically.

I also got sick of the stupid castle intrigue, and how Mari flip flopped all over the place about it. If this novel had been at least 100 pages shorter it might have been a better thing to read.

[Sunflower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise that this book was a fictionalised account of a real person until the end. It is a true tale of survival, nevertheless. How does a person survive when born as a dwarf in the 1600's when such people were used for the amusement of people of regular height. Fortunately Mari is clever and has strong survival instincts, so she picks up the skills she needs along the way and eventually becomes a prophet at Court, under the protection of the Queen. This almost becomes her undoing, but her skills at moulding herself to fit the moment get her through in the midst of constant Court intrigue.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character in this historical novel is Maria-Barbara, the Queen's personal dwarf, in the court of Philip IV of Spain. Among other things, the novel includes the circumstances under which the famous painting, Las Meninas ("The Ladies-in-Waiting"), was created; a close-up of part of this painting is also shown on the cover of the book. In an Afterword, the author freely admits that she spiced up the history & the politics somewhat, in order to make a more exciting novel. So don't read this book to learn the history. But I think for conveying a feel of the court, & of Spain at that time, & of life for the dwarfs, the book was excellent.

[Marieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the period and location for this historical fiction as I wasn’t aware of them much before, and viewing the courtly intrigues from an insider / outsider perspective was really interesting. I just feel it would have been better served if Nicolas were the main point of view character, though that might have relieved some of the mystery I guess. Maria Barbara is just not as well versed in court politics as she likes to think she is which makes for frustrating reading and not much character development as she keeps going through the same loops.

[Sharon Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stranger mentioned the premise of this book to me and it's the first I novel I recall purchasing based on that alone. And it is phenomenal. Patitucci immerses you in this world from page one and the details, the history, the characters, the plotting...it all reads effortlessly as if you're really reading the story of a dwarf in a painting descended straight from history and onto the pages. Delightful, deft, masterful, and highly recommended. A week ago, "Sandwich" was my favorite read of the year. It's already been replaced with this one.

[Laura Trombley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The incestuous court of Philip the fourth of Spain and all of its intrigue is brought to life through the eye of Maribarbola the queen's dwarf. Just as I have discovered with Marie Antoinette, these rich and favoured people were born to horrors all their own. The trick is to stay alive in a place of rumor and superstition and political maneuvering. Being king isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character-driven historical fiction gold!
Experience the inner circle of dysfunctional Spanish/Austrian royalty through the perspective of Mari-Barbara, a Germanic dwarf trying to cope with her station in life.
I own a book of Velazquez' paintings and was actually able to peruse "Las Meninas" while reading the author's depiction of its creation. How fun is that? The whole book was a real joy to read!

[Megan Tee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was somewhat interested in the story. At the same time, I really wasn’t. It wasn’t really the characters but rather the history.

If I didn’t have an interest in the Habsburg then I would have dropped the book. It isn’t really one that has the idea of what subtlety means. It is not one where it carefully handles the court situation and the background.

The monarchs are definitely interesting. Just because Mariana had been his niece and all the implications that came with it. She is interesting because of how her life had turned out. She went from marrying a fairly good looking cousin to her ugly, aging uncle.

And her marriage would produce Charles II of Spain. Which everyone would admit was both physically and mentally retarded. As well as heavily impotent. If anyone was to look at his ancestry, they would face palm.

And really, that was what made this interesting. I didn’t care so much for Mari. Or even what was happening. It was mostly the history which fascinated me as much as I was rather well versed in this part.

The book has Mari, where she does really everything. But what the book bothers me is how it sneaks all this little details about how it feels wrong. And I can tell that it isn’t Mari’s thoughts. It doesn’t feel like her. And all these little lessons which are more of the commentary a twenty first century person would have for those times.

Anyone can look at how wrong they were, but at that time marriages were dictated by dynastic politics. The things that had to be done because they needed Catholic Royals of the Right Rank. Which the Reformation clearly didn’t help at all.

And the degenerate children were not born because they were of uncle niece marriages. It’s because they had been born of generations of uncle niece and first cousin marriages (several I kid you not). Not to mention that this had been the norm for Spain and Portugal and it was simply something the Habsburg picked up. (Just take a look at the Aviz, Trastamara, and later the House of Bragzana and Bourbon Spain).

And mostly due to sheer bad luck. And why this is a very very hot topic in alternate history. You could just change many of them for a different wife. Or had a son of an existing distantly related wife survive(Elisabeth de Valois and Elisabeth de Bourbon). And then the Hapsburgs would have stood a chance. And even some of them had been due to exceptionally bad medical care.

Overall, I just found the entire book interesting if you like the history. But really there was no story to tell.

[Marc Machiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty amusing historical speculation

We are asked to believe that Velazquez’s dwarfs were important players in Court intrigue. Alas, the historical note at books end leaves one wondering whether the true story, told with the right source materials might not have been more interesting.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between three and four stars on this one. The historical setting is captivating, and on that basis, I settled on four stars. I didn’t love the ending, which seemed very odd to me - but I won’t spoil it with an explanation.

Very creative to be basing the idea of the story from Las Meninas.