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)

wonderful book

LOVE this book! Well written with a beautiful story for strength and courage, lost and found.

What a wonderful book!

It caught my interest right away. I had a hard time putting it down. I truly found it interesting and entertaining. It's hard to imagine what those children went thorough--an important part of history. (like it or not) . Highly recommended

Awesome!

The narrator was very good...she reads a little fast... But overall very good. I loved the story. I enjoyed it very much!

Loved the book...disliked the narrators

I put this book off for a few months after I bought it b/c of the narrators. They grated on my ears. I finally pushed past the sound and got involved with the story, but did as many reviewers said, READ more than I listened to Orphan Train.
Good story, amazing piece of history and I enjoyed the novel.

An interesting perspective of riding the Orphan Tr

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

I loved the historical part of the story best, told from the perspective of Vivian, formerly Dorothy, formerly Niamh (Neve). I thought her story was a lot more interesting than Molly's, and I found myself perking up when we moved away from present day Maine

Would you be willing to try another book from Christina Baker Kline? Why or why not?

Maybe. There were little inaccuracies that really bugged me (it takes DAYS to make maple syrup, but she wrote how the syrup came straight from a tree. Things like that really annoyed me.)

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

I couldn't tell if there were two different narrators. I thought it all sounded consistent, but whoever did the most speaking did pretty well.

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

I wouldn't. It sums up what it is nicely.

Any additional comments?

The author should stay away from stereotypes like the Christian bigot. It's a real turn off. And I realize Molly is a teenager, so she never tried to see things from another perspective, but always projecting Molly as correct all the time was kind of annoying.

Loved this book!

Excellent writing and a meaningful story caught my attention immediately. I loved the 2 parallel stories and how they came together. The story touched me and brought me to tears at the end.

So good I listened twice.

I was disappointed that this wonderful book ended. An intensely emotional journey through Viviane' s life left me wanting more.

Artful mix of historical context & modern fiction.

If you could sum up Orphan Train in three words, what would they be?

Then and now.

What did you like best about this story?

The bridging of the generations.

What about Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren ’s performance did you like?

They sounded real. I felt like I was in the room with them.

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

Vivain. She is old but has spunk and is willing to change.

Any additional comments?

Informative, engaging, and ultimately a book about hope and resilience.

Great book!

Loved this book! I almost felt like it ended to early though! I loved it so much I couldn't believe it when it was over. I do wish it had one more chapter though. I felt like it ended without giving Molly's finished story.

Terrific way to learn about the orphan trains.

This book was such a wonderful surprise. The story was amazing and so well written. I couldn't put it down. It was a really nice blend of research and good old fashioned story telling. Bravo!