The Magpie's Sister
by
Kerri Turner
Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 2nd May 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 336
RRP: $32.99 (Trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: The Magpie's Sister
Who doesn't love a circus! The Magpie's Sister is an evocative and moving story about an Australian circus and the performers' lives.
The Magpie's Sister focuses on two main characters, both given to the circus, under different circumstances, at a young age. The story is told in the dual narration of Maggie, who suffers from a facial deformity, and Charlotte, the beautiful tightrope walker. The pair start to become friends but lies and deceit will test the delicate line of trust they have developed.
Set in Australia in 1911 I found it heartbreaking at how cruel people could be. This was a time when the circus was the only place people with a deformity could live some semblance of a normal life. Not all circuses were as kind and benevolent as the one Kerri Turner depicts in The Magpie's Sister.
I loved all the descriptions of circus life, the moving from town to town, and the fact that not everyone was happy to have the circus in town. It was a hard life.
The story brought back many happy memories of attending circuses when I was young and also attending with my own children.
Kerri Turner has written a fascinating and heartfelt story of friendship and letting people in. Family is not always the one you are born into!
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
About the author
Kerri Turner is an Australian author of historical fiction. Her books and short stories focus on female roles throughout history that have been largely overlooked or forgotten, and often include elements of the performing arts. Her short stories have appeared in several national and international publications. With a Diploma of Publishing and an Associate Degree (Dance), she splits her time between writing, and teaching ballet and tap dancing to seniors.
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