Their "mother" was a succession of nurses in white uniform. Their "father" was a brisk country doctor. Their "governesses" were the welfare minister of Ontario, the district supervisor of the Red Cross, and a court-appointed board of guardians. Their "playground" was a side-show/laboratory. Their "home" was a hospital.

They were the Dionne Quintuplets: Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Emilie and Marie. Their story can be seen from many angles, but one thing is clear: They were removed from their home, made a $500-million industry by the Canadian government that would rival Niagara Falls as a tourist attraction, and were destroyed in the process.