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melissa_k_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book is responsible for 2 lost nights of sleep! I could only put it down after my eyes were too blurry to read anymore. I had never heard of orphan trains before. What a sad, sad thing to happen to a child. I will now need to read some nonfiction on this topic. I enjoyed the back and forth over time and characters. The two main characters are well-matched. Quick read.
herbwyfe's review against another edition
2.0
I was familiar with the orphan trains in the midwest and generally like historical fiction. This book was an ok read. The plot was both dramatic and predictable. The characters were reasonably developed and sadly, I have to agree with other reviewers about the author's political bias influencing her development of the characters. The characters were clearly developed to either to be likable or not likable, catering to a liberal bias. I say this as a liberal who works hard to not make assumptions or work from stereotypes.
I have placed a hold on the author's new book and hope that the author has worked hard to remove her own political bias.
I have placed a hold on the author's new book and hope that the author has worked hard to remove her own political bias.
swimlaurie's review against another edition
4.0
Really good. And a sweet ending. It's nice to have that kind of conclusion every so often!
crb1022's review against another edition
4.0
Orphan Train was a book club selection. I really enjoyed reading the book - had no prior knowledge of orphan trains. So the history lesson was valuable. I liked the book, the character development, and the way it shifted time from the 20's - 30s to present day. There were a few times when I got teary at the sadness of certain situations.
I felt like it ended quite abruptly. Not that the ending was bad. But with a bit more story around the ending, I would have reared this book a 5.
I felt like it ended quite abruptly. Not that the ending was bad. But with a bit more story around the ending, I would have reared this book a 5.
teresa0122's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story!!! However I found myself wanting more when I got to the end!
jesspalatka's review against another edition
5.0
I don't even know where to begin. I loved every single moment of this book. It is the definition of a "page turner". I wanted so badly to find out what happens to Vivian and Molly, but at the same time I didn't want it to end. Christina is such a phenomenal writer, I feel as if I knew both Vivian and Molly personally. I can't wait to read more by her.
telsberry's review against another edition
5.0
Enwrapped and entangled, two women who's lives were traumatic come full circle to an oddly happy closure! Loved the writing and storytelling!
torimacpurr's review against another edition
5.0
She depicts these experiences in a very real way.
I was going to give it 4 stars, because I tend to think very few books should get top rating. But why not?
The writing is excellent quality. The organization of the story is compelling. I prefer chapter titles be a bit more unique, but that's just a personal preference.
The story is very realistic. The author really did her research. I've been a foster child, I've had lots of social workers in my childhood, I've been an advocate for homeless children, I've been a support facilitator for teenage parents, I've worked as a team partner with other agents providing services to "needy" populations. I've also been a parent.
I was especially glad to see the portrayal of the foster mom, "Dina". There are so many people who behave very much like "Dina". She's not a shallow stereotype, she's an archetype of a person whose energy is focused on repressed fears. I saw that type of behavior especially in many of the moms of female teenage parents that I worked with. (Sometimes in the dads, sometimes in parents of male teenaged parents...)
I was going to give it 4 stars, because I tend to think very few books should get top rating. But why not?
The writing is excellent quality. The organization of the story is compelling. I prefer chapter titles be a bit more unique, but that's just a personal preference.
The story is very realistic. The author really did her research. I've been a foster child, I've had lots of social workers in my childhood, I've been an advocate for homeless children, I've been a support facilitator for teenage parents, I've worked as a team partner with other agents providing services to "needy" populations. I've also been a parent.
I was especially glad to see the portrayal of the foster mom, "Dina". There are so many people who behave very much like "Dina". She's not a shallow stereotype, she's an archetype of a person whose energy is focused on repressed fears. I saw that type of behavior especially in many of the moms of female teenage parents that I worked with. (Sometimes in the dads, sometimes in parents of male teenaged parents...)