The Miracle  Tragedy of the Dionne Q..., Sarah Miller
The Miracle  Tragedy of the Dionne Q..., Sarah Miller
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The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets

Author: Sarah Miller

Narrator: Robin Miles

Unabridged: 9 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/27/2019


Synopsis

In this riveting, beyond-belief true story from the author of The Borden Murders, meet the five children who captivated the entire world.

When the Dionne Quintuplets were born on May 28, 1934, weighing a grand total of just over 13 pounds, no one expected them to live so much as an hour. Overnight, Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie Dionne mesmerized the globe, defying medical history with every breath they took. In an effort to protect them from hucksters and showmen, the Ontario government took custody of the five identical babies, sequestering them in a private, custom-built hospital across the road from their family--and then, in a stunning act of hypocrisy, proceeded to exploit them for the next nine years. The Dionne Quintuplets became a more popular attraction than Niagara Falls, ogled through one-way screens by sightseers as they splashed in their wading pool at the center of a tourist hotspot known as Quintland. Here, Sarah Miller reconstructs their unprecedented upbringing with fresh depth and subtlety, bringing to new light their resilience and the indelible bond of their unique sisterhood.

About The Author

Sarah Miller is the author of the historical fiction novels Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, which was called “an accomplished debut” in a starred review from Booklist and was named an ALA–ALSC Notable Children’s Book, and The Lost Crown, a novel hailed as “fascinating” in a starred review from Kirkus Reviews and named an ALA–YALSA Best Book for Young Adults.Robin Miles is a veteran of Broadway, classical plays, television, and film. She is an AudioFile Golden Voice, having won numerous Earphones Awards, ALA awards, and Audie Award nominations.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Stacey on May 19, 2019

I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I only knew a bit about the Dionne Quintuplets before reading this book by Sarah Miller. I was vaguely interested in the subject matter but adored Miller's earlier book "Caroline" a novelized version of the life of Carol......more

Goodreads review by steph on October 24, 2019

This was such a fast, easy read. I really liked this author's style of writing and the way that she effortlessly weaved in interviews, newspaper articles and documents into a story that captivated me from the opening lines. It's nonfiction but not boring or dry which is my favorite type of nonfictio......more

Goodreads review by Doris on June 05, 2019

Olivia and his wife Elzire were not aware that this latest pregnancy would change their lives forever. Elzire gives birth to quintuplets. Yvonne, Annette, Cicile, Emilie, and Marie. Each born in that order. They were born early and not expected to live. These babies would forever be known as the Dio......more

Goodreads review by David on February 07, 2023

As much as I disliked the book I have to say it raised thought provoking questions about greed, ego, betrayal, duplicity and our seemingly insatiable thirst for spectacle. The first two-thirds of the book cover the lives of the quintuplets from infancy to their first few years and was very monotonous......more


Quotes

A Bulletin 2019 Blue Ribbon Book

"Miller avoids a sensational tone, and her fresh and detailed reconstruction of this famous story is riveting — part tabloid story, part poignant biography."
New York Times Book Review

"[A] thorough, fascinating deep dive into the lives of five girls who captured the attention of millions"–Booklist, Starred Review

"Miller demonstrates herself once again to be a dab hand at examining a historic media frenzy and analyzing the legacy of its lore, leaving trails of ill-informed opinion and blame that lingers into the present."–Bulletin, Starred Review

Fascinating and well-told. Miller negotiates the multiple viewpoints with a clear eye and extensive research.” – Voya, Starred Review

“International media darlings during the Great Depression, the Dionne sisters are virtually unknown to today’s young people, but Miller’s intense focus on what the girls were going through makes their story timeless.” –Horn Book, Starred Review

“It is impossible not to feel the tragedy of the quintuplets’ lives….  eye-openingthoroughly researched.”—Publishers Weekly

Captivating and enchanting, as well as respectful…. Thoughtfully, cautiously, and candidly researched.”—School Library Journal