Molly Greeley's new historical fiction novel, MARVELOUS, is based on the real-life story of Petrus Gonsalvus and his wife, Catherine. Petrus aka Pedro had a condition called hypertrichosis which meant his body was covered in hair. This caught the attention of the French Queen (a certain CATHERINE DE'MEDICI), who liked having unusual people around her. And so, Petrus/Pedro was well educated and raised in the royal court. Petrus/Pedro's wife, Catherine, did not have this condition and then most of their children inherited it. The story of Petrus/Pedro and Catherine may have inspired a version of the Beauty & the Beast fairy tale (and maybe the prosthetics used on the Beast in the recent live-action adaptation)?

Learn more about Molly and her book at mollygreeley.com

Buy a copy of MARVELOUS using this bookshop link to help support Vulgar History

--

Tune in to watch VULGARPIECE THEATRE LIVE at youtube.com/@vulgarhistory on March 4 at 5pm Pacific/ 7pm Central/ 8pm Eastern.

--

Support Vulgar History on Patreon

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

--

Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices