The Tumbling Turner Sisters

By: Juliette Fay

Narrated by: Katie Schorr, Eileen Stevens

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Set against the turbulent backdrop of American vaudeville, four sisters embark on an unexpected adventure - and a last-ditch effort to save their family.

In 1919 the Turner sisters and their parents are barely scraping by. Their father is a low-paid boot stitcher in Johnson City, New York, and the family is always one paycheck away from eviction. When their father's hand is crushed and he can no longer work, their irrepressible mother decides that the vaudeville stage is their best - and only - chance for survival.

Traveling by train from town to town, teenagers Gert, Winnie, and Kit and recent widow Nell soon find a new kind of freedom in the company of performers who are as diverse as their acts. There is a seamier side to the business, however, and the young women face dangers and turns of fate they never could have anticipated.

Heartwarming and surprising, The Tumbling Turner Sisters is ultimately a story of awakening - to unexpected possibilities, to love and heartbreak, and to the dawn of a new American era.

©2016 Juliette Fay (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Yes, it's a 5 star review and well earned!

I am suffering from a rigid terror of writing a review that does not do this book justice! I absolutely loved every moment of this Audible production and wish I had more chapters or a sequel to it!


The voice acting was superb, which always makes or breaks an audiobook. I loved the two narrators and the shifting view points that they brought. I am more of a fan of Gert’s perspective (call me a cynic lover) and later in the book ended up really loving Winnie. Winnie’s character arc was the most satisfying. Gert broke my heart a little near the end of the book.

I have to preface this review with the knowledge that I am a fan of Juliette Fay. I have listened to all of her Audible books and have enjoyed most of them. Now that she is delving into historical fiction – I have to say KEEP IT UP! She writes a rich world, brings in a lot of background information, and transplants you into the thick of things.

Prior to this book, I had no clue what vaudeville was! And in case you don’t know either… here’s a snippet from Wikipedia:

vaude·ville: a type of entertainment popular chiefly in the US in the early 20th century, featuring a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance.”his comedic roots are in vaudeville”

After listening to this book, I scoured the Internet for more information on Vaudeville. The way this story centers around it and brings out different sides of it was an amazing ride. I had no clue that performers used to “black face” (‘black up’) and sing horrifying songs putting down African Americans. When one of the side characters who is a black man refuses to (‘black up’) the manager of the theatre gets annoyed with him. It was a powerful moment in the book.


The story is so rich that it includes other moments of history that I know of thanks to my MFM fandom — the Great Molasses Flood of Boston — which, if you’re interested, is horrifying (Wikipedia link here.) It also touched on the Spanish Flu and the end of WW2.

The four sisters are absolutely enjoyable and well written. I honestly would have loved to know more about Nell and Kit’s perspective. Their mother, though vapid and self-serving throughout the book, isn’t even a villain though she could have easily been written as one. Each of her girls has a general understanding of her and gives her passes for it. I like to think that’s how it is with most families.


I would so highly recommend this audiobook for anyone that loves a great story that takes you on a fantastical ride. There’s nothing more satisfying than listening to a great book while you’re folding laundry or doing chores (or, commuting, working or whatever… quality distraction you need!).

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

wonderful story of love and overcoming the world

I loved it. it was gripping, we'll written and preformed! the story from two sisters of their individual struggles and the struggles of their families and friends.

Really interesting read with great characters...

...and description of the era and especially the vaudeville circuit, which I knew little about.

Interesting storyline and I was even more impressed because one of the narrators (Gert) was kind of unlikeable (usually when there's an unlikable main character, I don't enjoy the book) yet I was still interested and still rooting for her. Fay wrote enough nuance into Gert that even though she was often unpleasant, I understood why and could sympathize.

Winnie (the other main sister) was likeable and interesting.

Nell (oldest sister) was well developed as seen through Winnie's and Gert's eyes. Kit, the youngest sister was completely underdeveloped (sadly). The mother (the one you love to hate) was well done. Would have liked a little more of the father, though.

I was never bored and always interested in what would happen next. Bad things happen, horrible things happen but the book is not depressing--it takes some writing chops to pull that off.

Loved the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter.

Also two very good audio performers!

There's No Business Like Show Business

A delightful and entertaining story of life on the vaudeville circuit. The characters are engaging, and the story, while nostalgic, is not sugar coated. I enjoyed this tremendously !

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great story about family.

I recommend this book to women and men, young and old. It will make you smile, cry, laugh, cheer, and more.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

I really love this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Tumbling Turner Sisters to be better than the print version?

Yes - the two readers do an excellent job.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Tumbling Turner Sisters?

When Dainty Lucy sang "Oh Papa". I cried as I listened to the lyrics being read and imagined the little girl singing them. Also, the description of the movie "Birth of a Nation" was interesting as I had never seen the movie and did not know what it was about.

Have you listened to any of Katie Schorr and Eileen Stevens ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had never heard them before, but now I will seek them out.

If you could rename The Tumbling Turner Sisters, what would you call it?

My Life in Vaudville

Any additional comments?

This is the best book I have listened to so far.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable

Well written - well read! Strong female characters in a time of turmoil. Perfect for listenin

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

The tumbling Turner sisters

Awesome couldn't put the kindle down. Interesting with every chapter.I can see this becoming a movie too.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fantastic listen. Didn't want it to end.

What did you love best about The Tumbling Turner Sisters?

historically accurate, incredibly interesting and so very charming. Loved how the characters came to life!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful