Ebook The Orphan Tale A Novel eBook Pam Jenoff

Product details File Size 2730 KB Print Length 369 pages Publisher MIRA; Original edition (February 21, 2017) Publication Date February 21, 2017 Language English ASIN B01HB9Q7CW

The Orphan Tale A Novel eBook Pam Jenoff Reviews

• I just finished this book, and as I wipe away my tears I have to tell you that this is an original, riveting story about courage, love, friendship, and family. A while back, someone asked if there were too many books written about WWII, and my answer was no....there are millions of stories to tell. The Orphan's Tale is a great example of this, telling a story about events and acts of bravery that I knew nothing about. In this masterful tale, Astrid is an aerialist whose family had owned a circus in Germany; but her family was Jewish, and had disappeared when she returned home after being cast aside by her husband, a German officer. Noa is a young girl whose single act of bravery leads her to the circus, an uncommon but welcome refuge for her. This story is told with such passion and enormous heart, with pulse-pounding suspense as Astrid, Noa, and the rest of their circus friends are under constant threat of the Nazis. I highly recommend this book to all book lovers; it is sure to enthrall everyone.
• I go through several books a week. As soon as I finish one, I am ready with the next. The Orphan's Tale made me stop, wait, think and want to absorb it before I went on to the next book. I'll admit I am interested in books about WWII and oddly, about historic circus life. This was a fascinating blend of the two, so I was in heaven! This is a book I wish I'd written...the writing, the plot, the characters...I didn't want it to end. Do yourself a favor and read this one.
• Based on the glowing reviews, I read this novel as I am a fan of WW II historical fiction. The story managed to capture me but by no means would I call it riveting or written with deep emotion. It's all fairly tenable how the relations come about, how Noa meets Astrid, the circus being the catalyst. Other charcters (Luc, Herr Neuhoff, Gerda, Emmet) play roles that help the story and the conclusion (no spoilers) does account for the fate of all the characters. That all said, I found the writing choppy, lacking a deep felt emotion of the characters (even the main ones) and thought the second half was a bit over-romanticized. Would I recommend it? Yes. Many may find a stronger emotional connection. I did not. So 3 stars for what I thought might be a 4.5 - 5 star going in.
• When you think about WW II you think of all the people that were taken by the Nazi's because of their different believes, like Gypsies and a lot more. Never thought too much about what happened to the circus people. This book is giving you an inside of what happened during the war with the circus performers and that a lot of Jews were saved by performing at the circus. This was the case of Noa, a 16th year old girl from the Netherlands who was raped by a German soldier and got pregnant by him. As soon as the baby was born the Nazi's took the child away from her. She was thrown out of her parent's home and ended up at the circus where she found a little Jewish boy laying in a box car still alive. She took it with her and while living in the circus train she met Astrid who taught her how to be a aerialist (trapeze worker). First the women do not get along but over time a friendship starts to form and they help each other any way they can and take care of the little Jewish boy named Theo. Noa becomes friends with the circus people and many things happen during the time that she is with the circus. Unfortunately the head of the circus dies and there is hardly any money left to keep all the performers with the circus -which was kept a secret from the performers-. Towards the end of the book dramatic things are starting to happen and all you can do is hope and pray for a good outcome. I could not put this book down because it was for me very interesting and I felt so sorry for Noa that I shed several tears for her. This is a very good book to read and I recommend it to anyone.
• I would like to thank the Publishers, HarperCollins, Mira, and Harlequin Enterprises Limited, as well as Pam Jenoff for the Advanced Reader’s Edition of “The Orphan’s Tale” by Pam Jenoff.
  This has to be one of my favorite Pam Jenoff’s novels. The historical fiction novel takes place during World War Two, and the Holocaust. This is a turbulent and devastating period in history. Pam Jenoff’s description of the isolation and depravity of the towns and villages as well as the attitudes of people during this time period is extraordinary and exceptional.
  The author has been so ambitious in weaving her tale, there is so much to absorb. One of the main characters, Noa,gets pregnant by a German soldier, and is forced to give up her baby. Noa’s family is intolerant and throws her out, where she is forced to clean near a railway station. Noa discovers a railroad car filled with Jewish babies, some alive, destined to a concentration camp, and decides to take one of the babies. She names him Theo, and is forced to escape in the ice and cold with no papers.
  Noa winds up in a German Circus. The owner of the Circus, has tried to provide safety for Jewish people, and offers Noa a job.
  At this time Noa meets Astrid, an acrobat in this circus. Astrid is Jewish, and was part of a Jewish Circus. Astrid is instructed to teach Noa how to do acrobatics. The two of them have a conflicted friendship based on a lack of trust and a need for survival. Astrid does not know where her family is, and is divorced.
  We do meet a number of complex characters.
  In my opinion, Pam Jenoff compares the indifference and immorality of people with courageous, caring people who offer hope, faith and love, and are willing to take risks.
  Kudos to Pam Jenoff for telling an amazing story, and bringing a different perspective to light. I am left with so many provoking thoughts and questions. I highly recommend “The Orphan’s Tale as a wonderful novel of historical fiction genre.