Hottentot Venus

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Set in Paris in 1815, the story revolves around a South African girl known as the Hottentot Venus, who performs in a lavish ballroom, drawing both fascination and derision from the audience. Among the spectators is Baron George Cuvier, Napoleon's physician, whose interaction with her will profoundly influence his theories on race, reshaping European scientific thought. The narrative explores themes of exploitation, racial identity, and the intersection of science and society during a tumultuous historical period.