Orphan Train

A Novel

By: Christina Baker Kline

Narrated by: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be.

Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to "aging out" out of the foster care system. A community-service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse....

As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both.

Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are.

©2013 Christina Baker Kline (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The narrator of Orphan Train, Jessica Almasy, does an incredible read. Listening to Almasy’s rendition of this book - so vivid and emotional - was as much fun as getting swept away by an Oscar-winning movie.” (Parents.com)

"Absorbing...a heartfelt page-turner about two women finding a sense of home.... Kline lets us live the characters’ experiences vividly through their skin.... The growth from instinct to conscious understanding to partnership between the two is the foundation for a moving tale." ( Publishers Weekly)

“Kline's vibrant, sophisticated language comes alive with the sparkling talents of narrators Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren. Their finely paced, enthusiastic portrayals of the charming main characters quickly capture the listener.” ( AudioFile)

powerful

Loved this novel. learning about these poor children and the lives they led and the coorilating modern story of a foster child was wonderfully woven.

Lovely and Engrossing

I found this book thoroughly engaging, although I confess to being more interested in the historical events than in the contemporary plot. The characters were vivid, the situation poignant, and the pace of the storytelling brisk. The major quibble I have with the audiobook is that the narrator read much of it at such breakneck speed that it felt like she glanced off of the emotional content rather than allowing it to settle in to the listener. Her accent was somewhat iffy as well. But overall, a very enjoyable listen.

Enjoyed the book

But the narrator was difficult to listen to. Unusual emphasis on words and a strange cadence.

excellent book, it hooked and riveted me end 2 end

story of an orphan of circumstances a girl from Ireland and get story going on a train of orphan children from NY to Minnesota to be given away to any takers ("foster" care). it weaves in with a modern day orphan teen who is fostered too and the two stories blend together and we get the story of the original 9 yr opphan who is in her 90s today . Her story is pulled out by today's teen, and it transforms both of their lives in unexpected ways. excellent book. no fluff here. a riveting boom and well read by the person bringing the audio to life.

One of best Novels

Where does Orphan Train rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is definitely the best audio book I have listened to. I listen and also read a lot of books. I listen to audio books for my long commute and listening to this I was always glad when I was stuck in traffic.

Have you listened to any of Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I thought Jessica and Suzanne did such a good job of reading this, I have not listened to either one of them before, but they were so good that I'm not even sure reading the book would have been as good as listening to them read it. That is unusual for me as I usually feel reading a book is better than listening to it being read.

Any additional comments?

I don't usually write reviews, but I finished this today and had to write a review as I loved everything about this book. Story and plot were both amazing. The audio was fantastic.

Fascinating

Where does Orphan Train rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the 2nd best audiobook I have listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Orphan Train?

When the main character finally finds love and you feel like after all her hardships she has endured that she will be finally be happy, yet even that is stripped from her.

What does Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The changes in voice tones from child to teen to adult make the story very real.

If you could rename Orphan Train, what would you call it?

A coming of age.

An awakening to a story I had never imagined...

A book hard to put down; a miracle of life that I had never been aware.

Well told, and sensational characters to fill the story with depth and reality untold.

Fascinating

Would you consider the audio edition of Orphan Train to be better than the print version?

Don't know

Who was your favorite character and why?

The characters of Molly and Vivienne were like versions of each other from different eras, shaped by the cultural norms of their own times. They were my favorites.

Which character – as performed by Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

Not sure who performed which

Who was the most memorable character of Orphan Train and why?

See above

Any additional comments?

Really well written and well performed - apparently based on historical events.

SO GOOD!

One of the best books I have ever read/listened to and the narrator does a fantastic job of bringing each character to life.

great book

I loved the parallel in the main characters lives. you should read this good book.