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Lädt ... Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville's Famous Conjoined Twinsvon Sarah Miller
   Keine Keine aktuelle Diskussion zu diesem Buch.  TheQuietReader | Mar 14, 2021 |  keine Rezensionen | Rezension hinzufügen
"From the author of The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets and The Borden Murders comes the absorbing and compulsively readable story of Violet and Daisy Hilton, conjoined twins who were the sensation of the US sideshow circuits in the 1920s and 1930s."--Violet and Daisy were as alike as two flower buds on a single stem. They were also joined, back-to-back, at the base of their spine. In 1908 they were called freaks, monsters. Their mother abandoned Violet and Daisy to the care of her midwife, who immediately put the babies on exhibition in the back room of her pub, embarking on a course of blatant exploitation. They eventually became the most phenomenal success in vaudeville's history. Miller shows that Violet and Daisy were more than just an exhibit: they were two distinct individuals with remarkably harmonious personalities. Above all, they were sisters, whose bonds were so sacred that nothing-- not even death-- would break them. -- adapted from jacket Keine Bibliotheksbeschreibungen gefunden. |
LibraryThing-AutorSarah Miller ist ein LibraryThing-Autor, ein Autor, der seine persönliche Bibliothek in LibraryThing auflistet. Aktuelle DiskussionenKeineBeliebte Umschlagbilder 
 Google Books — Lädt ...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)616.043Technology Medicine and health Diseases Pathology; Diseases; Treatment Genetic and hereditary diseases Genetic AbnormalitiesKlassifikation der Library of Congress [LCC] (USA)BewertungDurchschnitt: (4.75)
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1
Before I picked up this ARC, I'd never heard of the Hilton sisters. Or so I thought. As it happens, I did see a very old film from 1932, Freaks, and the Hilton sisters were in that film. So while I have seen them before, I can safely say I knew nothing about their life.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for Violet and Daisy as I read this one. The author does an excellent job of presenting the facts that could be proven and sharing the "ballyhoo" or tall tales that were spread about the twins. The book follows Violet and Daisy from their birth, through every exhibition they were part of, and then to their death. It was especially interesting to see how they displayed their unique personality and how they had some privacy from each other, even when they were by each other's side 24/7.
The one thing that is very clear is how they were captives of those who were supposed to be caring for them. Once they had their freedom, they didn't know how to manage their affairs and that lead them into more trouble. As the vaudeville circuit and the stage life that was the only life they knew, they took up burlesque dancing to support themselves until they finally took positions at a grocery store. The last half of the book I found very sad to read.
Although at times it was a little disconcerting to read a story only to have the author immediately show that it was another tall tale, it wasn't overly distracting. I found it interesting to see how much Mary Hilton and then the twins themselves would twist the truth to make the most of a situation.
I thought this was an interesting read and would recommend it for readers who would enjoy a look at two of vaudeville's stars. I received a free copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. (