The Orphan Collector Book Reviews

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Beautifully written historical fiction. Content Rating: 18+ Genre: Historical Fiction Published: July 28, 2020, by Kensington Books Yes, we are in the grips of a present-day pandemic. That is why I think more than ever; we need a book like this to help remember our past. Knowledge of our history reminds us, our present and future are not immune to the past happening again. The Orphan Collector is the perfect title for this book, and believe it or not; it’s what drew me in to find out more about this book. When I found out The Orphan Collector was about the 1918 Spanish flu, I knew I had to read it. This time period holds an extraordinary place in my heart. In 1918 my grandfather was ten years old. His parents came over from Italy and settled in South Philadelphia. My grandfather survived the 1918 pandemic, or else I would not be writing this review. I must give high praise to Ms. Wiseman for her diligence and thorough research on this time period. I know firsthand from my grandfather’s stories that many of the things she describes in her book are correct. My grandfather told me that the doctor told his parents to give all the children one whiskey shot three times a day. He laughed and confessed that he was drunk for almost two weeks. On the sadder side, his younger sister did not survive. My grandfather described how his parents had to take her body out when the death cart came around. Till the day he died, at eighty-seven, he never knew where his sister was buried. Ms. Wiseman tells the story of the 1918 pandemic with great care and empathy. She helps the reader learn about this forgotten period and helps the reader connect with what it must have been like to live through it. Most importantly, she helps us understand what it was like to be a poor immigrant in 1918, Philadelphia. “The deadly virus stole unnoticed through the crowded cobblestone streets of Philadelphia on a sunny September day, unseen and unheard amidst the jubilant chaos of the Liberty Loan parade and the patriotic marches of John Phillips Sousa.” The Orphan Collector follows the life of a thirteen-year-old German immigrant, Pia Lang, during the pandemic. In 1918 when the flu strikes, Pia’s father is still overseas even as the war is coming to an end. Pia, her mother, and her twin baby brothers are now trying to survive. There is something special about Pia, but you will have to read the book to find out. Pia’s story is about love, the resilient human spirit, and the courage it takes to survive in the face of seemingly insurmountable hardship. However, The Orphan Collector gives us the evil side of what a pandemic like this can do to some people. Bernice Groves has lost her husband to the war and her infant son to the flu. Bernice blames immigrants for what has happened to her family, and she feels that they are not true Americans. Bernice is a woman filled with hate and makes it her mission to separate children from their parents. By doing so, she thinks she can help these children become true Americans. Ms. Wiseman shows the contrast between good vs. evil with each of these women’s stories. Both characters are well developed, and Wiseman’s exceptional writing has you loving one and loathing the other. Both of these characters will not soon be forgotten. Ms. Wiseman’s writing is brilliant and a joy to read. The imagery of the pictures she paints with her words puts you on those gritty streets of 1918, Philadelphia. She craftily weaves Pia’s story, Bernice’s story, and the horrific effect the pandemic has on Philadelphia seamlessly together in a novel that I couldn’t put down. The Orphan Collector is one of those books that will have you thinking about it long after finishing the last word. You will want to talk about it. So, you will tell all your friends to read it so you can talk about it. There are some similarities to the 2020 pandemic, but 1918 was a very different time and a very different pandemic. Ms. Wiseman has written an exceptional piece of historical fiction that you will not want to miss. I highly recommend this book, and I want to give it more than five stars. * Please note the quote in my review is subject to change once the book is published. * ** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Ellen Marie Wiseman. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

The Orphan Collector. I love historical fiction. Since we are living in a pandemic, it was interesting to see how people dealt with the pandemic in 1918. The characters, some good, Others evil. I could feel for the children who wound up orphaned. It was a great read! I couldn’t put the book down!

Perfect read. Perfect book if you want emotion and suspense. So many twist and turns. When you think you figured it out the book takes another route. Will definitely pull at the heart strings. Historical facts in every page to allow the pictures to unfold and keep you wanting more. I wish it never ended.

Couldn’t put it down!. First time I have read this author and I cannot wait to read more books by her! I couldn’t put this one down. I read several books a month and it’s been awhile since one drew me in like this.

Wonderful. This is a hard book at first because it takes place during the Spanish flu and considering we are still in a pandemic I almost gave it up. But I am so happy I kept with it because it was a wonderful story that I was completely sucked into. I also recommend coal river and the life we was given by the same author

Disgusting, heartbreaking and triumphant!. I love this book…couldn’t put it down.

The Orphan Collector. This is my second book I read written by Wiseman. This one was better than the last. I felt as though I was living each experience with little Pia. When she cried, tears fell down my cheeks. I couldn’t put the book down. One of the best books I’ve read. Well written and easy to follow.

Great. Loved it!!

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