What a crazy few weeks it has been. We escaped reality for a bit for Spring Break and while it was an amazing week, we are still trying to get back into a routine around here. One thing that I have not gotten out of routine with is my reading. While I didn’t read as much as I wanted on Spring Break I am super excited to share my 8th book read for 2019! I decided to pick up The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff for my next book. Recently, I have really enjoyed some of the historical fiction books like Lilac Girls and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The Orphan’s Tale was a similar read but had some very interesting perspectives from the characters.
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
A powerful novel of friendship set in a traveling circus during World War II, The Orphan’s Tale introduces two extraordinary women and their harrowing stories of sacrifice and survival.
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.
My Review of The Orphan’s Tale
I have been on a historical fiction kick this last year. I do like to mix up my books by adding a fun book in between these historical fiction books. I asked for The Orphan’s Tale for my birthday after seeing a few of my friends recommending it on Goodreads. I am so glad I decided to ask for this book because it was a really great read.
From the moment I started reading this book I felt connected to the characters. It was very interesting to read about the characters during their experiences of survival through out the World War II. Adding the traveling circus was just an extra bit of interesting information.
I have not read any books about the traveling circus but this one was really heartwarming, suspenseful and emotional. What I loved about this book was that even in the heat of the war, the kindness of the people wanting to help and hide the Jews in the circus. The Author’s Note says that this story was inspired by real people that the author met during her research for this novel and that the circus was a way to hide some Jewish people to help keep them safe during the Holocaust, although it was not a biography it was purely fiction.
I really enjoyed this World War II novel with a different setting. I knew nothing of the German traveling circus or the fact that they hid Jews among its performers during the war. I thought the book did a great job of showing how the war impacted not just Jews, but anyone associated with Jews, and all German citizens. A lovely story of family, friendship, and trust.
This was my first novel by Pam Jenoff, but it won’t be my last, I have already added a few of her books to my must read list!
Well my choice for book 8 for 2019 was a great read with some new perspectives during this tragic and difficult time in history. I would recommend The Orphan’s Tale to anyone that loves a good love story with a twist of historical fiction. I posted on facebook the other day that I am so surprised at how great my reading goal for 2019 has been going so far. Who am I?!? HA! As of right now I have finished my 9th book of 2019, be on the look out for some more great book reviews!
Make sure you check out my reading list for 2019 that I have planned so far.
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