UET FOR A LIFETIME

by Kay Hunter ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 30, 1964

Miss Hunter is a descendant of the Scotsman who discovered the original Siamese twins in 1811. Her account of Chang and Eng does not pander to the peep-show/freakshow values inherent in the peculiar circumstances of their birth -- joined at the chest face to face. At all points, she takes into consideration the terrible aspects of their bondage, its truly tragic togetherness, for this kind of winship does not have that special kinship -- Chang and Eng were temperamentally different which led to their increasing quarrelsomness in old age. This then is the story of their discovery, their importation to America, their ultimate hookup with Barnum and their retirement from the stage to settle down in North Carolina. There, ""making love pretty fast"" (their own words in a letter to Hunter), they ecured the affections of Sarah and Adelaide Yates. The double union resulted in 2 children. Chang began to drink and Eng's worst fears came true -- Eng died of right a few hours after Chang died. No doubt about it, there's still inordinate curiosity value in this story which has received considerable magazine coverage.

Pub Date: July 30, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: oward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION