Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Non-fiction book review - Violet and Daisy

 

Violet and Daisy by Sarah Miller

I was fairly new to the story of Violet and Daisy but I do have an interest in the history of sideshows and Vaudeville, so I was invested in this story pretty early on. Miller makes it easy, presenting their story in a largely narrative structure. The book mostly proceeds in chronological order, backtracking on a few occasions to explain some context. It's not strictly factual, as Miller occasionally editorializes about motivations though she is clear on the difference between recorded fact and her own opinion or when a source is unreliable. While Violet and Daisy are largely presented as victims, manipulated and controlled for most of their lives, Miller is not afraid to point out the negative aspects of their personalities: their tendency to lie and extreme self-importance. The tone is fairly conversational, a style familiar to frequent podcast listeners. While this is something of a niche topic, it's a fairly compelling read. 

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

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