the miracle and tragedy of the dionne quintuplets

It was the Depression and their parents had no idea how they would pay to take care of 5 more kids They were the first set of quintuplets who all lived. Photographs and extensive source notes round out this stellar work of nonfiction. 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. The Dionne quintuplets were born in rural Ontario in 1934. Miller raises plenty of questions about child celebrity, government accountability, and journalistic integrity, and while some remain unanswered, there’s still plenty to ponder in this thorough, fascinating deep dive into the lives of five girls who captured the attention of millions. In many ways, this is a terribly sad story, but Miller resists sensationalizing, often emphasizing the necessity of sifting through exaggerated journal entries and reporting to find a kernel of the truth. Relying on first-person accounts, journals, and transcripts, she uses direct quotes to great effect when describing the quintuplets, their parents’ struggle to retain any sort of authority over their care, the country doctor who insisted on government oversight of their livelihood, the many child-rearing experts who shaped the five young girls’ isolated environment, and, of course, the quintuplets themselves, who were raised apart from their family in the public eye. Quintuplets born to farm wife - Canadian woman gives birth to five girls all are doing well - Country doctor struggles to save lives of Canadian mother and quintuplet girls - Progress of quintuplets amazes medical world - Star sends assistance to mother and five babes - Quintuplets may go on exhibit at Chicago fair - Quintuplets' father to get 100 a week while all live. an impeccably researched look into a cultural phenomenon, digging into the heart of a story surrounded by rumor and exaggeration.

The miracle and tragedy of the dionne quintuplets