Violet and Daisy

The Story of Vaudeville's Famous Conjoined Twins

De: Sarah Miller

Narrado por: Cassandra Campbell

From the author of The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets and The Borden Murders comes the absorbing and thoroughly enjoyable story of Violet and Daisy Hilton, conjoined twins who were the sensation of the US sideshow circuits in the 1920s and 1930s.

On February 5, 1908, Kate Skinner, a 21-year-old unmarried barmaid in Brighton, England, gave birth to twin girls. They each had 10 fingers and 10 toes, but were joined back to back at the base of the spine. Freaks, monsters - that's what they were called. Mary Hilton, Kate's employer and midwife, adopted Violet and Daisy and promptly began displaying the babies as "Brighton's United Twins". Exhibitions at street fairs, carnivals, and wax museums across England and Scotland followed. At eight years old, the girls came to the United States, eventually becoming the stars of sideshow, vaudeville, and burlesque circuits in the 1920s and 1930s. In a story loaded with questions about identity and exploitation, Sarah Miller delivers a completely compelling, empathetic portrait of two sisters whose bonds were so sacred that nothing - not even death - would compel Violet and Daisy to break them.

©2021 Sarah Miller (P)2021 Listening Library

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Meticulously detailed.... This comprehensive biography also provides a healthy dose of social history, particularly as it relates to entertainment, gender roles, and disability.” (The Horn Book, starred review)

“This engaging, linear narrative transcends spectacle to portray their storied career with sensitivity.” (Publishers Weekly)

"Violet and Daisy’s story shines.” (Kirkus)

Incredible story

I found out so much about Violet and Daisy that I never knew. What an incredible life they lived.

What a life these sisters lived!

Interesting, detailed story of an unusual life together. Narration was wonderful. Very much enjoyed! PS nothing to do with today's Hilton sisters.