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jamivmarel_reads 's review for:
Orphan Train
by Christina Baker Kline
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Love Love Historical fiction, relational, good Vivian character development
- history of the “social experiment” orphan train is so wild, sad, fascinating. Super devastating how the children were expected to be slaves, not emotionally supported, especially after such trauma. Treated like adults
- Loved Vivian’s storyline - felt so vivid, detailed, devastating. The trauma of losing her whole family (twins), all the awful families, and then the amazing teacher who takes her in, and all the strong women figures who inspire and lead her, then the couple who adopt her and seeing Vivian’s entrepreneurial spirit.
- Molly’s was less believable - but I enjoyed her opening up, and the idea of what you take on a portage with you
- So sad that Vivian had a sister alive all that time - felt like a storyline that didn’t wrap up really - except for maybe the reality of the unknown, the loss when she finally found out, but the peace of knowing she lived a full life.
Questions:
- what did you think about the parallel story lines with Vivian and Molly? Was it predictable to you?
- What items would you take to “portage” if you were an orphan? What would be meaningful?