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)

So sad this has to happen to anyone!

Any additional comments?

I always read that these families had lived "happily ever after." This story suggest maybe it wasn't true!!

Juxtapostion

What made the experience of listening to Orphan Train the most enjoyable?

Bouncing between time periods, we follow the story of two orphans who must find their way in a world that wants to mold them to fit into boxes that society views as their roles. Through their two stories we come to see that while society has changed, certain fundamental truths about how people view the most vunerable among us has not. I love stories about young women with spirit and depth and both of the main characters have both. As they deal with what the world dishes out to them, we find that what sustains them changes them.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked when Vivian realized that all of the bad things that happened to her (and there were ALOT of them) were actually the things that led her to the good things and that she was grateful for everything.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Vivian realized the handsome stranger was actually a young boy she met on the Orphan Train many years earlier.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I listened to this book constantly and found myself sitting in the car to finish a section. It was a compelling book with many emotional scenes.

Parallel lives, one this century, one last

This was a very good story. The two main characters were a teenager who ended up in foster care and an older woman who, when younger, was sent on an "orphan train" to the midwest for adoption. The two meet and realize their stories are similar. Enjoyable listen.

Really good!

I've had this book in my wish list for ages. It kept getting great reviews but I wasn't so sure I would like i . Well, glad I finally got iit BECAUSE I LOVED IT. A really great story for young and old. Listened to it all in one day. Couldn't seem to make myself stop.

Meshes Past With Present

This is a nonlinear story that brings together the stories of two different orphans, from two distinctly different time periods, modern and past. I really enjoyed it.

Beautiful

I truly enjoyed the two main characters and their developing relationship. It's always refreshing to happen upon strong females in fiction. This is a wonderful story that will leave you satisfied by the end.

goosebumps in many ways

From Ms. Tait (My Maiden Name) to Redhook ( tweny Minutes from where I live) to many more ...
this story was wonderful, beautiful in many ways. Told to me in a way that touched my heart.
Thank you

I loved it

This is a fantastic story. Although sometimes the language and scenes are hard to take it portrays the real life story. But maybe even softens some of the story.
Thank you for the happy endings. And extra info about the online connections to the orphan train children.
Thank you

loved it.

It was depressing at times but had a great ending. Didn't want it to be over.

AMAZING!!!

I absolutely LOVED this book, I felt myself feeling emotions as if I was there with the characters. This is now my favorite book, I am so happy I read it and would highly recommend