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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I loved this book. I felt such empathy for the main character, Pia. There were so many parallels between the Spanish Flu and the COVID pandemic; however this story is about being a poor child in the heart of the 1918-1919 Spanish flu. Highly recommend this book.
3.5
It was good. It was compelling. The ending was a bit contrived. I was disappointed that it was total fiction based on a time period - that the crux of the story was complete fiction. Still a good story - BUT ONLY A STORY.
It was good. It was compelling. The ending was a bit contrived. I was disappointed that it was total fiction based on a time period - that the crux of the story was complete fiction. Still a good story - BUT ONLY A STORY.
This was hard to read, eerie with the current pandemic and OMG BERNICE. I’ve never read a more singularly vile character, she had no other sides! I almost quit this book every time I started reading her chapters, honestly, but I had to know what happened. The ending redeemed it, but by a hair.
Three Things I Loved
Historical Immersion:
Ellen Marie Wiseman masterfully brings to life the setting of 1918 Philadelphia during the Spanish flu pandemic. The way she portrays the fear, uncertainty, and desperation of the time is immersive, making it feel like you're right there with the characters as they navigate a world in crisis. The meticulous historical details and emotional depth really allow readers to connect with the era, highlighting the impact of this lesser-known catastrophe.
Strong, Resilient Heroine:
Pia, the protagonist, is a character you can’t help but root for. Her journey, from a vulnerable young girl to a survivor who fights against insurmountable odds, is powerful and inspiring. Her love for her family and her sheer will to protect them drive the story forward, and I loved how her strength is balanced with her very human vulnerabilities.
Emotional Depth and Complex Themes:
This book delves deeply into themes of loss, survival, and the effects of trauma on both an individual and a community. Wiseman doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of orphans, immigrant struggles, and the brutality of the pandemic. Yet, amid the sorrow, there is a profound sense of hope and resilience. The emotional weight of the story, paired with its nuanced portrayal of human nature, left a lasting impression on me.
Historical Immersion:
Ellen Marie Wiseman masterfully brings to life the setting of 1918 Philadelphia during the Spanish flu pandemic. The way she portrays the fear, uncertainty, and desperation of the time is immersive, making it feel like you're right there with the characters as they navigate a world in crisis. The meticulous historical details and emotional depth really allow readers to connect with the era, highlighting the impact of this lesser-known catastrophe.
Strong, Resilient Heroine:
Pia, the protagonist, is a character you can’t help but root for. Her journey, from a vulnerable young girl to a survivor who fights against insurmountable odds, is powerful and inspiring. Her love for her family and her sheer will to protect them drive the story forward, and I loved how her strength is balanced with her very human vulnerabilities.
Emotional Depth and Complex Themes:
This book delves deeply into themes of loss, survival, and the effects of trauma on both an individual and a community. Wiseman doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of orphans, immigrant struggles, and the brutality of the pandemic. Yet, amid the sorrow, there is a profound sense of hope and resilience. The emotional weight of the story, paired with its nuanced portrayal of human nature, left a lasting impression on me.
Sometimes while reading, I was hard pressed to differentiate between fall 1918 and spring 2020. This was an ambitious work, but a feel a little less is best could have made a difference. 3.5 stars #decadesreadingchallenge #bookgirlschallengegroup
Heartbreaking. So well written and compelling. Wasn't sure I would enjoy it, enjoy may be the wrong word, as its not an 'enjoyable' read, but it is definitely a story worth reading.
The Orphan Collector starts in the fall of 1918 in an overcrowded, impoverished neighborhood in Philadelphia heavily populated by poor immigrants. The Lange family is from Germany and they face extreme anti-German sentiment. To prove their loyalty to America, the father enlists in the Army. The deadly Spanish flu is starting to spread. Thirteen year old Pia Lange, her mother and twin baby brothers attend the large Liberty Loan Parade. Soon after, the rate of deaths escalate.
Pia is left to care for her brothers. While seeking food, the twins are taken by Bernice, a neighbor who has just lost her own baby. She sees herself as rescuing the Lange baby boys from their German roots. Pia is taken to an orphanage while Bernice continues her quest to cleanse young immigrant orphans of their foreign heritage by placing them in the homes of “true Americans.”
The description of the devastation of the Spanish flu is harrowing and all too timely. The plight of Pia will break your heart. She is determined to find her brothers yet she is riddled with guilt over their disappearance. Bernice is pure evil.
This well-written book isn’t easy to read. The period was so bleak that at times it seemed hopeless. But amidst tragedy and heartlessness, the story has kind and caring people who bring humanity into this dark time.
I’m sure The Orphan Collector will stay with me for a long time.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Pia is left to care for her brothers. While seeking food, the twins are taken by Bernice, a neighbor who has just lost her own baby. She sees herself as rescuing the Lange baby boys from their German roots. Pia is taken to an orphanage while Bernice continues her quest to cleanse young immigrant orphans of their foreign heritage by placing them in the homes of “true Americans.”
The description of the devastation of the Spanish flu is harrowing and all too timely. The plight of Pia will break your heart. She is determined to find her brothers yet she is riddled with guilt over their disappearance. Bernice is pure evil.
This well-written book isn’t easy to read. The period was so bleak that at times it seemed hopeless. But amidst tragedy and heartlessness, the story has kind and caring people who bring humanity into this dark time.
I’m sure The Orphan Collector will stay with me for a long time.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
What an absolutely incredible, gut wrenching, what’s-going-to-happen- next story. I was hooked from the first chapter and it was hard to put it down. Loved it from start to finish and it definitely hit me straight in the feels.