Bones

by Pat Murphy

The Irish Giant – that’s what Londoners called Charlie Bryne, an enormous country lad standing 8 feet tall in his bare feet. He made his fortune by exhibiting himself, but Bryne was far more than a human oddity. He had the magical power of healing, a deep connection to the natural magic of the earth, and the blood of Irish kings in his veins. In 1782, he came to London with a single goal — to bring the Irish home to the island they had left. John Hunter was a man of science and insatiable curiosity — a surgeon, a natural philosopher, and a tireless collector of natural oddities. With analysis and dissection, Hunter strove to understand the natural world — and he wanted to add the bones of a giant to his collection. This novella, winner of the 1990 World Fantasy Award, examines what happens when the quest for scientific knowledge meets ancient natural magic.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

71 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Pat Murphy’s latest short story collection is called "Women Up to No Good," a title that describes Pat’s attitude in general. Pat writes about strong women who are not afraid of making trouble.

Pat's fiction has won multiple awards for her science fiction and fantasy works, including the Nebula Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Philip K Dick Award, the Theodore Sturgeon Award, and the Christopher Award. Her latest novel, "The Adventures of Mary Darling," is a historic fantasy -- a subversive take on Peter Pan (with a side helping of Sherlock Holmes). It will be out in May 2025 from Tachyon Publications.

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is about Charlie Bryne, an Irish man of unusual size - about eight foot tall. His mother tells him that he is the son of the King of Ireland - also a giant, who she met in the Giant's Boneyard. The Giant's Boneyard is a field that has large boulders which according to legend are said to be the bones of giants. The King tells Charlie's mother that she will bear him a son that will save Ireland.

Later on in the story, Charlie visits the boneyard and also meets the King who tells him to go to London and bring the Irish back home to their land. Charlie travels to Dublin and meets Joe Vance who sees Charlie as a way to make a lot of money - unfortunately for Charlie who is a very naive young man. But Charlie sees it as a chance to fulfill his destiny of bringing the Irish home.

In London, Charlie meets a lot of interesting characters and touches all their lives. Charlie has a connection with nature and animals seem to be drawn to him - birds land on his shoulders and sing. Some of the lives he touches includes; a humped-back Irish woman who tells people's fortunes, a scientist who is searching for life's secrets who wants to study Charlie, three little boys who search the mud flats of the Thames for things to sell.

I thought this story was wonderful! Full of magic like Charlie Bryne who also, according to the story actually existed. The story is both historical but includes touches of the magical - Charlie's animal cohorts, his healing power, his magic touch in people's lives. I definitely recommend.

[Jim Cangany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bones is a short story that takes the legend of Irish giant Charlie Byrne and turns it on its ear. History tells us that the real-life Charlie Byrne left Ireland for London, where he made a living as a side show subject before his all-too early death at the tender age of 22. In Bones, author Pat Murphy weaves us a story of legendary Irish kings, magical powers and Charlie's single-minded mission to bring the native Irish back to their homeland with them. If you're a fan of Irish history, or in the mood for a fantastical tale set in 1800's England, Bones is just the ticket.

I received this title for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encounter the writing of Pat Murphy when I read the short story, "Dragon's Gate". I was so impressed with the storytelling that I sought out a novel to read and discovered Bones, a short novella. I was not disappointed.

Bones is the story of two men, Charlie Bryne, an Irishman and John Hunter, a Scotsman, both of whom are historical figures from the 18th century. Bryne was a giant standing over 8 feet tall and Hunter was a surgeon.

The two men have also been the subject of two other novels — one by Hilary Mantel and one by Tessa Harris. Charles Dickens mentioned the Irish giant in one of his novels.