Christopher Hawtree

How could enlightened 18th-century Britain have believed that a woman could give birth to rabbits?

When Mary Toft allegedly bore 17 of them she became a national celebrity — even arousing the curiosity of George I

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  • The Imposteress Rabbit Breeder

    Karen Harvey

    OUP, pp. 224, £16

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Iwas trying to work out which event gave me a greater sense of euphoria and contentment – the fall of Humza Yousaf or the birth of my daughter – when suddenly the Irish got themselves into a most terrible paddy and easily eclipsed both for sheer, untrammelled glee. This is turning into a very good

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