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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I put off reading this because I was afraid it would be too depressing...it had its moments of a reality that was terribly sad but the overall story is wonderful!
An old timey orphan and a modern day foster kid cross paths and make a positive difference in one another's life. You get the old timey story of the Orphan a Train experience told by 91 year-old Viv and the modern day perspective of being a foster kid shuffled from home to home and never fitting in by the teenage Molly. Reminded me a bit of the orphan train story from "My Notorious Life" but I found Kate Manning's version more interesting and engaging.
Not a real standout or anything, but it was sweet and easy to read and the characters were relatable. Seems like loads of people loved it so maybe that set my expectations too high.
Not a real standout or anything, but it was sweet and easy to read and the characters were relatable. Seems like loads of people loved it so maybe that set my expectations too high.
One-Sentence Summary: Two women, with seemingly nothing in common, strike up a friendship that will change both of their lives.
Time/Setting: Maine 2011, and flashbacks from 1929 to 1943 across the country
Review: I enjoyed this book for what it was, though I definitely don’t think it was worth all that hype. A lot of the incidents were extremely coincidental, there were a lot of stereotypes to go around, and the reason for Molly and Vivian being in each other’s lives was a bit unbelievable. I’m not going to lie: the ending pissed me off. It kind of just fell off, and the big plot twist was not cool. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. My opinion falls somewhere in the middle.
Favorite Character: I have no favorite.
Least Favorite Character: Vivian made me mad at the end. That’s all I’m gone say bout that.
Favorite Quote:
Recommend?: Probably; I think it will appeal to the general public.
Re-read?: Nope.
Time/Setting: Maine 2011, and flashbacks from 1929 to 1943 across the country
Review: I enjoyed this book for what it was, though I definitely don’t think it was worth all that hype. A lot of the incidents were extremely coincidental, there were a lot of stereotypes to go around, and the reason for Molly and Vivian being in each other’s lives was a bit unbelievable. I’m not going to lie: the ending pissed me off. It kind of just fell off, and the big plot twist was not cool. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. My opinion falls somewhere in the middle.
Favorite Character: I have no favorite.
Least Favorite Character: Vivian made me mad at the end. That’s all I’m gone say bout that.
Favorite Quote:
Spoiler
“Dutchy is talking to me through the piano, and, as in a dream, I understand his meaning. I have been so alone on this journey, cut off from my past. However hard I try, I will always feel alien and strange. And now I’ve stumbled on a fellow outsider, one who speaks my language without saying a word.” (p. 231)Recommend?: Probably; I think it will appeal to the general public.
Re-read?: Nope.
I read this book in about 5 hours... I could not put it down. Definitely one to read, if you haven't yet.
This was a beautiful story that was written in such a way as to capture the reader's attention and curiosity. I had no idea about the existence of an orphan train in our history. Niamh's story was compelling and drew me in right away making me curious about the true origins of the train itself. My only complaint is that I wanted more. Though I beleive it was the author's intent not to tell us the reunion story as well as Molly's future, I would gladly sit through 50 more pages to get my questions answered.
Kline, next time you want to write about child welfare, do some basic research. Since she is part Native American, Maggie would fall under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and thus be under the jurisdiction of her tribe's council, not the state. Also, a social worker would not say to a 17 year old, "So, you age out soon, what's the plan?" There would already be a plan in place for Maggie. And don't even get me started on Ralph and Maggie's "plan" at the end.
Took me a while to get into, but I devoured the end. The parallels between the two main characters were kind of predictable, but the ending offered some interesting twists and I found myself rooting for both characters as they described their life circumstances.
I did not care for the modern day chapters. I would have given a better score for just the 1930’s chapters and the ending.
From The Book Wheel:
Note: I received this book for free through SheReads.org in exchange for a fair and honest review as part of a blogger network.
I'm pleased to share that I have joined the SheReads blogger network, thanks to Traveling With T, who I’m fairly certain secured my invitation after the last Bloggiesta. After reading my first book for the club, I am even more excited than I was going into it!
May’s pick was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, which weaves the stories of a troubled 17 year old foster kid, Molly, and Vivian, an elderly woman with a troubled past. The book hits with the ground running, and once I started reading I couldn’t put it down and read until I feel asleep and picked it up again before I was out of bed the next morning.
Molly, who has gotten herself into a bit of trouble, is sentenced to 50 hours of community service or will be sent to a juvenile detention facility. With the help of her boyfriend, Jack, she secures a place to contribute her time – which turns out to be helping Vivian clean out her attic. Vivian, an orphan train survivor living alone in a massive Maine house on the ocean, has worked hard to leave her past behind her and to move forward. But the ghosts of those that played an important part in her life remain wither her and leaving the past behind proves difficult.
The book bounces back and forth to the early 1930′s to 2011, but most of the story takes place during Vivian’s childhood rather than Molly’s. The writing styles reflect the decades, so Vivian’s is a bit more formal than Molly’s, but Molly’s story is the glue that holds it together. The story begins with Vivian’s placement on an orphan train in NYC and follows her through to adulthood in Minnesota, with most of the emphasis being placed on the first twenty-five years of her life.
For the full review, click here.
Note: I received this book for free through SheReads.org in exchange for a fair and honest review as part of a blogger network.
I'm pleased to share that I have joined the SheReads blogger network, thanks to Traveling With T, who I’m fairly certain secured my invitation after the last Bloggiesta. After reading my first book for the club, I am even more excited than I was going into it!
May’s pick was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, which weaves the stories of a troubled 17 year old foster kid, Molly, and Vivian, an elderly woman with a troubled past. The book hits with the ground running, and once I started reading I couldn’t put it down and read until I feel asleep and picked it up again before I was out of bed the next morning.
Molly, who has gotten herself into a bit of trouble, is sentenced to 50 hours of community service or will be sent to a juvenile detention facility. With the help of her boyfriend, Jack, she secures a place to contribute her time – which turns out to be helping Vivian clean out her attic. Vivian, an orphan train survivor living alone in a massive Maine house on the ocean, has worked hard to leave her past behind her and to move forward. But the ghosts of those that played an important part in her life remain wither her and leaving the past behind proves difficult.
The book bounces back and forth to the early 1930′s to 2011, but most of the story takes place during Vivian’s childhood rather than Molly’s. The writing styles reflect the decades, so Vivian’s is a bit more formal than Molly’s, but Molly’s story is the glue that holds it together. The story begins with Vivian’s placement on an orphan train in NYC and follows her through to adulthood in Minnesota, with most of the emphasis being placed on the first twenty-five years of her life.
For the full review, click here.
I will say that this book surely had a slow start, it was not the kind of book that captures you from the first moment.
But in the same breath I will say that after you start, you do not want to stop. This story had twists that I simply didn't see coming and had me reading on and on. It was such a beautiful representation of the reality of some of those affected by the terrible thing of being an orphan.
I'm telling you, pick this book up and keep on reading!
But in the same breath I will say that after you start, you do not want to stop. This story had twists that I simply didn't see coming and had me reading on and on. It was such a beautiful representation of the reality of some of those affected by the terrible thing of being an orphan.
I'm telling you, pick this book up and keep on reading!