Sixteen-year-old Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and being forced to give up her baby. She lives above a small rail station, which she cleans in order to earn her keep… When Noa discovers a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, she is reminded of the child that was taken from her. And in a moment that will change the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.
Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she must learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in undetected, spurning the resentment of the lead aerialist, Astrid. At first rivals, Noa and Astrid soon forge a powerful bond. But as the facade that protects them proves increasingly tenuous, Noa and Astrid must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another—or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything.
Paperback, 353 pages
Published
February 21st 2017
by Mira Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Kristine's Thoughts:
I listened to The Orphan's Tale on audiobook and I have to admit that the use of accents in telling the story threw me off a little at first. Particularly because the accent seemed to change at times for the same person. Once I got use to it I was able to submerse myself into the story. I am a fan of historical fiction and have read hundreds where the plot takes place during WWII. There were so many moving parts during that time in history that it would be impossible to ever read about all of them. I was not familiar with the travelling circus during this time frame so I was excited to learn about it. Although this story was fictional I find that after reading any historical fiction that I enjoy I end up researching the topic in order to learn more.
Sixteen year old Noa was kicked out of her home when she was discovered pregnant by a German officer, forced to give up the baby and working and living at a train station to survive. When she discovered a train car full of infant babies she took one without thinking that reminded her of the one she was forced to give away. While trying to clean the baby up she discovered that it was Jewish and she knew she would have to hide him if she wanted him to survive. So she took off with the child, not knowing where she was going.
Astrid was always part of the circus. Her family ran it and she was performing from the tender age of four. It was while performing that she met her husband, a German officer, and left the circus for a life of wedded bliss. The only problem was that she was Jewish and as the war raged on, her husband was forced to divorce and disown her, leaving her alone with nothing. Her family and their circus had disappeared and when she approached the neighbouring circus family with questions she was taken in to perform in their show. It was illegal to employ Jewish people so Astrid took on a new identity and was hiding in plain sight.
When Noa found herself at the same circus, an unusual love/hate friendship developed between the two women.
This book was a book of love and friendship and the lengths that people will go in the face of adversity to keep those they love safe. It was at times beautiful and overwhelming as I discovered their stories and took the journey with them. I felt like I was there with them as they forged their way through that difficult time. Although I was swept away in the story there were some things that irritated me and were far fetched. I guess that is why they call it fiction. I won't divulge any details so as not to taint any future readers but there was one characters actions that I found annoying, unlikely and a little ridiculous considering the circumstances. That character was Peter who was the main performing clown and Astrid's companion at the circus.
Although there were moments in the story that made me shake my head, there were more moments that left me breathless and aching for more. It was the unlikely friendship and bond between Astrid and Noah that really drew me in and left me appreciating everything I had just listened to. The Orphan's Tale was at times far fetched but it was still a beautiful, sweeping story of love and sacrifice in a most difficult and challenging time. I enjoyed every minute of it.
About the Author
I listened to The Orphan's Tale on audiobook and I have to admit that the use of accents in telling the story threw me off a little at first. Particularly because the accent seemed to change at times for the same person. Once I got use to it I was able to submerse myself into the story. I am a fan of historical fiction and have read hundreds where the plot takes place during WWII. There were so many moving parts during that time in history that it would be impossible to ever read about all of them. I was not familiar with the travelling circus during this time frame so I was excited to learn about it. Although this story was fictional I find that after reading any historical fiction that I enjoy I end up researching the topic in order to learn more.
Sixteen year old Noa was kicked out of her home when she was discovered pregnant by a German officer, forced to give up the baby and working and living at a train station to survive. When she discovered a train car full of infant babies she took one without thinking that reminded her of the one she was forced to give away. While trying to clean the baby up she discovered that it was Jewish and she knew she would have to hide him if she wanted him to survive. So she took off with the child, not knowing where she was going.
Astrid was always part of the circus. Her family ran it and she was performing from the tender age of four. It was while performing that she met her husband, a German officer, and left the circus for a life of wedded bliss. The only problem was that she was Jewish and as the war raged on, her husband was forced to divorce and disown her, leaving her alone with nothing. Her family and their circus had disappeared and when she approached the neighbouring circus family with questions she was taken in to perform in their show. It was illegal to employ Jewish people so Astrid took on a new identity and was hiding in plain sight.
When Noa found herself at the same circus, an unusual love/hate friendship developed between the two women.
This book was a book of love and friendship and the lengths that people will go in the face of adversity to keep those they love safe. It was at times beautiful and overwhelming as I discovered their stories and took the journey with them. I felt like I was there with them as they forged their way through that difficult time. Although I was swept away in the story there were some things that irritated me and were far fetched. I guess that is why they call it fiction. I won't divulge any details so as not to taint any future readers but there was one characters actions that I found annoying, unlikely and a little ridiculous considering the circumstances. That character was Peter who was the main performing clown and Astrid's companion at the circus.
Although there were moments in the story that made me shake my head, there were more moments that left me breathless and aching for more. It was the unlikely friendship and bond between Astrid and Noah that really drew me in and left me appreciating everything I had just listened to. The Orphan's Tale was at times far fetched but it was still a beautiful, sweeping story of love and sacrifice in a most difficult and challenging time. I enjoyed every minute of it.
About the Author
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