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A review by sherrimc
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
3.0
4 for the story about the 70 year-old woman looking back on her life and 2 for the rest.
I really loved the story told by the older character looking back on her life. It's compelling, suspenseful (because you aren't sure how it will go) and touching. I'd never heard of orphan trains so I learned a little history too.
Vivian (the older character) was the same age as my youngest daughter when she lost her family and traveled on the orphan train, so I couldn't help but make comparisons. More than once it made me tear up to think about such a young girl experiencing so much hardship and loss.
The rest if the book was not nearly so good for me. The book moves back and forth between the story of a modern day teenager and Vivian. The modern day story just didn't reach me emotionally. The characters were poorly drawn and flat. Also, the ending seemed a little rushed and cobbled together.
I do like the idea developed in this book that those who are very young and those who very old have a lot to offer each other if they take the time to get to know each other and become friends.
I really loved the story told by the older character looking back on her life. It's compelling, suspenseful (because you aren't sure how it will go) and touching. I'd never heard of orphan trains so I learned a little history too.
Vivian (the older character) was the same age as my youngest daughter when she lost her family and traveled on the orphan train, so I couldn't help but make comparisons. More than once it made me tear up to think about such a young girl experiencing so much hardship and loss.
The rest if the book was not nearly so good for me. The book moves back and forth between the story of a modern day teenager and Vivian. The modern day story just didn't reach me emotionally. The characters were poorly drawn and flat. Also, the ending seemed a little rushed and cobbled together.
I do like the idea developed in this book that those who are very young and those who very old have a lot to offer each other if they take the time to get to know each other and become friends.