Hi, all. I’m after identfying a book I once owned, and really hope you can help.
The book was paperback, maybe 8 x 5 in size, and detailed strange and bizarre facts from times gone by. Two of the stories I remember in particular, are one about the research done by a French doctor - when the guillotine was still used - into whether or not decapitated heads still retain sences. The other story was the true account of a nine-year prositute at the start of the 20th century which inspired a film starring Brooke Sheilds in the title role.
The cover was mainly white in colour, I think, with maybe some beige, and was very ‘Victorian freak show’ in style, but I can’t remember the cover illustration.
The first part (regarding victims of the guillotine) is covered in detail in “Stiff” by Mary Roach. But I don’t think this is the book your after as I don’t remember anything in it about nine-year prositutes.
You’re quite welcome. As I read your description, I knew that was the book. I went and grabbed it from the bookshelf and finished reading your post. The “victorian” comment clinched it.
Even better, Lazlo - I tried amazon.co.uk to see if they had it (your link was for .com who I don’t use, what with being English an all) and they had a copy for 9p - should be back in my hands at long last, within a day or two
As I read your description, I knew that was the book. I went and grabbed it from the bookshelf and finished reading your post. The “victorian” comment clinched it.
