The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets

De: Sarah Miller

Narrado por: Robin Miles

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.

Reseñas de la Crítica

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-opening, thoroughly researched.”—Publishers Weekly

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

Facinating!

I was always fascinated with the Dionne quintuplet story. I watched Million Dollar Baby on TV in the 80s. I remember them winning the settlement in the 90s. I also read the book the movie is based on. When I found out this book existed on Audible I renewed my subscription instantly and ordered the book. The book is excellent!!! This story is beyond devastating. Those poor girls. It was such a miracle that they survived only to have all their lives altered for life. Yet how could they have survived without that income? The parents had to care for such a large family and then FIVE babies! I cannot imagine. I sympathize with the mother. It must have been heartbreaking for her to have her children taken from her. The narrator too is amazing. Her accent wonderful! The way she repeated all five names throughout the book. Loved this listen! This is my FIRST review; that is how much I enjoyed this book.

Fascinating

Anyone who grew up fascinated by the Dionne Quintuplets will appreciate the fairness of this book.

Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and marie

the only downside to this great story is that the narrator keeps saying "Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and marie" over and over when the quints or the girls could have been said instead. you'll have their names memorized by the end of the book cause it's used over and over. i'd say make a drinking game out of it but you'd be dead within the first hour

Loved the book!

I was so excited a book was about the Dionne quints. Ever since seeing a movie about them as kids, the quints had amazed me whenever I read or heard anything about them. The story and narrator was excellent. I recommend this book to anyone.

loved this!

highly recommend this fair and balanced, well-researched historical biography of the life of the first surviving Quintuplets! it is a story of overcoming neglect and abuse, early childhood fame/popularity, and a coming of age tale. love!!