The Orphan Train is a sweet, often sad story of a unique friendship between two very different people who find themselves by finding each other.
Orphan Trains operated in the late 1800’s early 1900’s as a way to move orphaned or abandoned children out of crowded cities by well intentioned Children’s Aid Societies. Some were rescued by families who loved them and some ended up being unpaid servants or worse. This novel brings that part of history to life in a compelling way.
The story is enthralling, the research is thorough but not glaring and the writing is elegant. I loved the book and I’ll bet you might too.
This post is in honor of the letter “O” and part of Jenny Matlock’s Alphabet Thursday. For more “O” posts, please click here jennymatlock.blogspot.com/
I have wanted to read this book and now I am going to find a copy of it. I think it is so sad how children are treated as property even to this very day. Such a sadness. My girlfriend Sharon has always said it is because they do not pay taxes or vote so the governments do not care. I remember the orphans I attended Catholic school with during the Bay of Pigs! They were from Cuba and I recently read a story about one of them with a happy ending. Great post idea! Have a beautiful evening!
I love historical fiction. This one sounds fascinating.
Sounds like a great book! I’ll add it to my Must-read list!
Have heard this was a good book ~ Great post for ‘O’
Happy Day to you,
artmusedog and carol
I have read books describing how Irish and British children were sent to Australia for a “better” life but was unaware that it had also happened in the U.S. I’m going to look for the Orphan Train on Amazon right now, thanks for recommending it.
Maggie
Back to say I’ve just downloaded Orphan Train to my Kindle, going to save it and read it on the flight to the States in 2 weeks time.
Maggie
A few weeks ago in our continuing education classes here in our retirement community, we had someone speak about this and guest of honor was a 103 year old, very sassy lady who was an orphan and lived this. I have not read the book, but I will. Such an interesting and sad part of our history that was never touched upon in our American history lessons.
I read this book over a year ago but remember that I enjoyed it.
Sounds like a very good book !
I kick my self regularly as I passed up that book when it was offered free for a few days on Kindle. Now I am on the waiting list at the library. Can’t wait to get it. Thanks for the nudge.
Very interesting cover of this book !!
I’ll look for the book. The history of the orphan train is interesting. I always forget to look it up until I hear it being mentioned again. Going to Google now.
The View from the Top of the Ladder
Nice review, Ms. RM. I have read of the orphans being put onto the trains. My dad was born in 1910 and he knew some of those kids growing up, who were ‘rescued’ in Nebraska.
I will put this on my “ToRead” list, thanks.
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Am broadening my reading, even joined a local book club…so will keep this one in mind♪
I’m definitely adding this to my reading list – thanks for the heads up.