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
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