Joseph: The Life, Times and Place of the Elephant Man

by Joanne Vigor-Mungovin, Michelle Merrick (Foreword)

The story of Joseph Carey Merrick, more popularly known as the Elephant Man, passed into the realm of legend from the moment he was first exhibited at John Ellis's Bee Hive public house in Nottingham's Beck Street. Much of what has been written about his short life has been distorted and exaggerated, to the point where the most well-known depiction - the 1980 film starring John Hurt - left an indelible imprint of cruelty and suffering at the hands of Joseph's manager, and an eventual rescue by Dr. Frederick Treves of the London Hospital. The truth is rather different. Peeling back the layers of myth, Joanne Vigor-Mungovin has looked into the early life of Merrick and his family in her hometown of Leicester, and here presents, for the first time, detailed information about Joseph's family and his burning ambition to be self-sufficient rather than survive on the charity of others.

Genres: History

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2016

Reviews

[Martin McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a fair number of books about my hero Joseph Merrick. This is the best. Joanne Vigor-Mungovin is the ideal biographer for Joseph. She's a historian of Joseph's native Leicester and so in a perfect position to be able to give the detailed account of his Life, Times and Places contained in this excellent book. More than any other biographer she has delved into Joseph's family history and the social and civic circumstances of late nineteenth century Leicester and London to give a full account of the context in which Joseph lived his private and public life. I doubt whether such an impressively researched and well written account of the life of the "Elephant Man" could ever be surpassed. Highly recommended.

[Alessandro Mana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly delightful and intriguing reading. The level of research conducted by Joanne Vigor-Mungovin is informative and concise. Every aspect of Joseph Merrick's life is covered and analyzed. The author's brilliant descriptions and quotes make the locations vivid in the mind of the reader. From the book we get a Joseph Merrick of an incredible humanity despite countless vicissitudes of life. A man who, also if considered "abnormal" for Victorian society, has fought against those prejudices that are today unacceptable.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched, giving a very detailed history of Jospeh Merrick as well as those he was involved with and the various experiences surrounding his life.

[Diana Ridout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Joseph Merrick, often referred to as 'the Elephant Man' has been told and retold and elaborated on so many times that it has been hard to tell fact from fiction, but in this remarkable new study of the man and his place in society, Joanne Vigor-Mungovin looks deeper and further into the history to uncover the real man.
The wealth of research undertaken by the author is phenomenal and the book is factually accurate in every aspect, from the man himself and his family, to society at the time. Never before discovered details of his life are laid bare and the whole is written in a confiding and easy to read manner, but without any condescension or attempts to gain pity for his plight.
Merrick is uncovered as a charming, erudite and well read, gentleman, who was touchingly grateful for the smile of a woman - the first in his life.
The book has relevant and useful appendices and a helpful, but not invasive, array of notes to clarify where information had been found. The book is also expertly indexed.
It is truly a remarkable book about a remarkable man, written by a remarkable woman.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers on all counts due to the authors extensive & detailed research. Plotted with great precision, we follow the life of Joseph Carey Merrick & the fateful circumstances surrounding the poor man's medical afflication. As promised in the title, a good deal of investigation has gone in to painting a clear & accurate picture of the era. Travelling shows are explained, news articles pertaining to hospitals & workhouses are included, so too are personal memoirs from those who met & knew the gentleman known as the 'Elephant Man.' In truth, there are many factors about Joseph's life that we shall never know but, in this tribute, the author has provided an amazing insight into a tragic life.

[Michael Bully · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's extensive knowledge of Leicester was a great asset in looking at the early life of Joseph Merrick . Also liked the way she could discuss the social history of the time, such as workhouse conditions, the diseases that afflicted Victorian city life, the controversy concerning vaccination.Sympathetic to Joseph Merrick's predicament and gave a strong case to show that he most probably agreed to be put on show as it were rather than being manipulated or exploited.
Felt that some of the genealogy got in the way at times. and was in danger of breaking up the flow of the narrative . But overall, gained a lot from reading this book.

[dan epstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

It subverts the so often victim narrative or body horror grotesque into a historical research that actually makes you think and understand new aspects. It’s a story with no happy ending, but at least now you know what made Joseph similar to people and not just different because of his condition. I wish I had read this prior to seeing the David Lynch movie that horrified me as a kid.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

More genealogy and history of the people and places Merrick knew than a biography.