Orphan Train cover art

Orphan Train

A Novel

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Orphan Train

By: Christina Baker Kline
Narrated by: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren
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About this listen

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. Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Friendship Feel-Good Adoption Fostering American History

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
Beautifully written and beautifully read. A delight to read from start to finish. Touches something that I daresay is deep within all of us. A real masterpiece.

Definitely a 5 star book

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What did you like most about Orphan Train?

I liked the pace of the book. I was always keen to keep reading to find out what was going to happen to these characters that you come to really care about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vivian was my favourite character because she showed enormous strength of character. She never forgot her past but didn't let it swallow her. She was very pragmatic and was determined to make the most of her future.

Which character – as performed by Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren – was your favourite?

Molly and Vivian's characters were both performed extremely well. My favourite would, again, be Vivian because there was more depth to her story.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some of the events in this book are shocking and frightening and I wished I could step into the story and intervene. It is not, by any means, a miserable book though. It is really rather enlightening.

Hard to put down

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I cannot speak highly enough of this audible book. The characters given so much life, heart and soul . I listen to a number of audible novels and this one is the best so far. The accents the depth of meaning in the story telling is exceptional ! Jessica and Suzanne are a talented team and I thoroughly enjoyed this book !

The orphan train came to life ..

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Thoroughly enjoyed this. Brilliantly narrated. Although a work of fiction, it has sparked my intrigue into finding out more about this era.

Great story!

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Lovely intertwined stories spanning time and place
Significant historical backdrop
Motivated me to research a few things I didn't know and I'm now the richer for it

Loved it

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beautifully and gently written, while still addressing the tough topics of abandonment and not quite fitting in

outstanding

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great experience listening to this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! this is a fast read /listen and you'll be captured in the story.

great book

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I loved it, heartbreaking, beautiful. Triumph over tragedy. I needed at least 3 more chapters. I couldn't stop listening.

brilliant, did not want it to end. I needed more.

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loved the story. when I read I read like I'm in the story. I really love historical times.

Orphan Train

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the narrator's performance brings the story to life. an interesting and engaging presentation of the history of the orphan trains.

wonderful!

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