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Orphan's Tale
Orphan's Tale | 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 survivalSixteen-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 steals 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 anotheror if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything."
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Melmar
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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#book2book another batch

kspenmoll The map that leads to you please! 3mo
tpixie The zookeeper‘s wife and the orphans tale are both so good! Someone should grab those! (edited) 3mo
Bookish_Gal Zookeepers wife please 3mo
15 likes4 comments
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SilversReviews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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HISTORICAL FICTION - WORLD WAR II

Another beautifully written book by Ms. Jenoff revealing another not well-known fact about WWII.

The circus theme was quite interesting. I wasn‘t aware of traveling circuses during that time, but it seems like the perfect way to help keep​ ​some of the Jewish community safe and hidden during the Holocaust.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/4ecuw7vw

PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 21, 2017

#pamjenoff

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JenReadsAlot
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Good not great. My #bookspin for April @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 7mo
35 likes1 comment
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SabGinesi
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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I started this book for a bookclub, excited to get into it!
#😄#bookclub#canada

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marleed
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

This one started out with haunting trauma; however, the extent to which better souls will go to save lives, even of strangers, prevails. It‘s a good story. Most of it takes place within the setting of a traveling German circus which makes me curious about The Circus Train - still unread on my shelves.

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kspenmoll
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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From author Pam Jenoff‘s Instagram post, promoting her soon to be released book, Code Name Sapphire.Her novel is included in this list of historical novels to be published in 2023:

https://www.hastybooklist.com/home/my-most-anticipated-historical-novels-of-2023

Librarybelle Oh! Thanks for posting! 2y
Eggs Thanks for sharing this link - I want to read each and every one of them 💙💙 2y
54 likes2 comments
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Jnnlb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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SilversReviews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Thanks to these Litsy folks for today‘s prompt:

#SAVVYSETTINGS
March 2022
@Eggs
@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks

Today‘s Prompt: CIRCUS 3/26

Ms. Jenoff always does exquisite research. You would think all has been known and written about WWII, but the circus assisting the Jewish people was interesting, enlightening, and wonderful to know how another group helped the Jewish people…https://tinyurl.com/sdmejefm

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my shelf ❤️ 3y
SilversReviews @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love her books….this is heartbreaking, but very good as always. ENJOY!! 3y
Eggs Love Jenoff❤️❤️ I never knew about these circuses in WWII until I read the book! 3y
SilversReviews @Eggs I didn‘t either. I always learn something every time I read a book about WWII. 3y
39 likes4 comments
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Eggs
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Travelling circus - WW2

#train #savvysettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I love Jenoff‘s HF, do you?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my shelf!! 3y
DarkMina Ooh stacked! 3y
69 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Nute
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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I am not surprised that this book was selected by my irl Bookclub. We read at least 3-4 WWII stories every year. This book hits the flip side, too, because we seem to really like stories about the rescuing of orphaned children.
This is my planned reading for the weekend.
Snow is expected.🌨

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Susanita
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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This wasn‘t the greatest reading month for me, between surgery stuff and work stuff. Nonetheless, I fulfilled one of my #readinggoals by getting completely caught up with Inspector Gamache for #seriesread2021 by reading the two latest books. I liked but didn‘t love them, so by default that left the one #LMPBC book that I got in the mail as my favorite. Yes, another WWII historical novel, but it was a different take. #12booksof2021 #September

Andrew65 That‘s great. A difficult month for me as I was wiped out by COvID. (edited) 3y
Suet624 @Andrew65 How are you feeling now, Andrew? 3y
Andrew65 @Suet624 Taken four months but now back to normal or just about, but left me with a flare up of IBS / GERD. 3y
Suet624 @Andrew65 I'm glad you're feeling mostly better. May you be able to wrangle the rest of the situation into some semblance of normalcy. 3y
TheSpineView 👍📖📚 3y
45 likes5 comments
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robinb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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@BridgetteM I‘m sending your #LMPBC book back tomorrow from our final rotation.
#Round012 #GroupI

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robinb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Mehso-so

I‘m definitely in the minority, and I really wanted to like this more, but I actually struggled a bit through this one. A tale about the role the circus played in sheltering Jews in WW2, my favorite parts were the aerialists‘ performances. My two main issues (and unfortunately they were rather important) were the slowness/melodrama in parts and the actions of the characters themselves not feeling realistic (so frustrating at times). I felt 🔻

robinb there were too many instances of repetition in the writing, and the pacing of the action felt off, with the two big drama scenes coming later in the book and feeling over-the-top to me. I did love the close relationship of Astrid and Noa (the aerialists), but even that was frustrating as they swung from a loving friendship to temperamental enemies too many times to count. In the end, I loved the premise but felt let down in the delivery. 2.75/5⭐️ 3y
robinb This was my final #LMPBC book for this round. @BridgetteM I will get this back to you in the next few days. Enjoyed this round with you all and your picks. @megnews @Susanita @suvata (edited) 3y
60 likes2 comments
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megnews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

What a story! Robin, I‘ll send this along to you in the next few days.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
#LMPBC

robinb So glad to hear you loved it…looking forward to reading it. I‘m currently knee-deep into the Cleeton and loving it! I‘ll be on the lookout. 👀 3y
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Purpleness
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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peaKnit
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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My first blind book sent from Page 1. My friend gifted me a three month subscription, you provide likes and dislikes then they send a book out…I think they did good. If you have the book or don‘t like it, they send you a new one, I was relieved to see that as not being in control is not my strong suit. 😂This is a treat.

CaffeineAndCandy I used to live in Evanston! ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
peaKnit @CaffeineAndCandy I live north of there in WI:) and I love your litsy “handle”, I could survive on both of those things lol! 3y
CaffeineAndCandy Thank you! I bought this coffee from Walmart yesterday called Death Wish. It‘s the strongest coffee approved for sale. 3y
16 likes3 comments
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Wslovell
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Fantastic read!

34 likes1 stack add
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SilversReviews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Thanks to:

#LITSYSPRINGBREAK
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@TheKidUpstairs

Today‘s Prompt: CIRCUS

Ms. Jenoff always does exquisite research. You would think all has been known and written about WWII, but the circus assisting the Jewish people was interesting, enlightening, and wonderful to know how another group helped the Jewish people. 

Another FABULOUS book.

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/yetvuqyh

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️📚 🎪 4y
TheKidUpstairs ❤📚 4y
41 likes2 comments
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Kaila-ann
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this audiobook. It‘s about love and friendship during WWII set in one the few traveling circus‘s still allowed to perform. I found the way the book was wrapped up at the end to be especially touching. It did slog a bit in the middle but overall, I really enjoyed it.

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LeafingThroughLife
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Mehso-so

I loved that this one married up two of my favorite topics in fiction World War II and the circus. A circus sheltering Jews, a talented trapeze artist, a circus novice with a twice stolen baby, friendship, love, and secrets, this was a real page turner. Unfortunately it has a really unbelievable streak. Characterization isn‘t consistent, relationships develop with absurd speed, and it turns a bit melodramatic. Wanted to love it, but only liked.

26 likes1 stack add
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LatrelWhite
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Finishing up my weekend read & listening🎧

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kstadt929
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

So much heartbreak. But also so much love!
Noa gets pregnant by a German solider, her parents kick her out, her baby is taken from her and she finds herself working at a train station. She comes across a train car full of Jewish babies, takes one and flees. A beautifully wonderful and tragic story follows as she tries to save herself and baby Theo. I could not put this one down ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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kstadt929
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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This has been on my TBR shelf for AGES so I figured it was time to pull it off the shelf and put it into play!

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SaunteringVaguelyDownwards
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
Panpan

After reading WWII stories by Ruta Sepetys, this really feels like a let-down. I do appreciate the research Jenoff did into Jewish circus families and how circuses operated during the war, but she didn't do enough to establish how the characters' relationships with each other evolved. It felt like suddenly Noa and Astrid trusted each other enough to be close, and Noa's relationship with Leo advanced at similarly lightning speeds.

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TorieStorieS
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

I enjoyed listening to this WWII story- though I think I would have been less forgiving of it had I read a physic copy. Narrated by Noa and Astrid, both women have known plenty of hardship before coming together in a circus still permitted to travel during the war. It‘s definitely sad, but well-performed and though the story may feel a bit familiar at times, it‘s still an engaging listen! #AudioColoring

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CMB
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Just finished Pam Jenoff‘s “The Orphan‘s Tale.” One of the minor characters said, “We cannot change who we are. Sooner or later we will all have to face ourselves.” To me, this rings true. What say you?

Eggs Agreed 4y
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JordanReadsTooMuch
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

A good first read for the year! I became overloaded by WWII books, but this is a different spin on that war.

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AmyK1
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Mehso-so

This was a bit of a let down. The story was good but the writing style left a lot to be desired. The dialogue was simple and stilted and the characters weren‘t really well developed. #litsyAtoZ

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throwmeabook
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Thank you @Soubhiville for the wonderful birthday surprise! I love everything, from the book and bookmark to the cutest card and even cuter wrapping! 💕 You are a gem! Thank you!

Soubhiville Happy Birthday 😊 5y
33 likes1 comment
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Eggs
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

During the reign of Nazis, there were a handful of German circuses who were still allowed to travel and perform. Some circus owners hid Jews who, in return, were trained as performers with name changes and documentation. This is brilliantly done historical fiction.

@Insightsintobooks

71 likes5 stack adds
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bookaholic1
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Wow all I can say is...
What a fantastic story!!!

S3V3N I loved this book! 5y
18 likes1 comment
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StephMC82
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

A bit Water for Elephants, a bit Romeo & Juliet, a bit of courageous history ... while this book eventually broke my heart, I'm glad I read it.

SilversReviews It is heartbreaking, but oh so good. 5y
9 likes1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Cleaned out one of my garden beds and planted bulbs to the tune of the tagged audiobook. I had no idea it was about the circus!

Not sure if the after picture looks better or worse but it will in the spring when it‘s full of tulips 🌷

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Bookwormjillk
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Up early listening to audiobooks and making pie. I love fall.

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Jb2003
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
Pickpick

This book is so good. I love the back and forth with the main characters. Definite book hangover, though.

CaitlinR Loved this one too, welcome to Litsy. 5y
6 likes1 comment
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Jb2003
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff

I‘m only a few chapters in and I‘m already hooked. Can‘t wait to really get into this one!

CoffeeNBooks Welcome to Litsy! 📚 5y
Readswithcoffee Welcome to Litsy 👍🏻📚📚📚👍🏻 5y
5 likes2 comments
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Caroline2
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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I couldn‘t resist picking this up when I saw it in the secondhand shop the other day! (Back on the book buying ban wagon now!) #train #letstravelaugust

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚💗🚂 5y
OriginalCyn620 👌🏻📚🚆 5y
78 likes2 comments
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Princess-Kingofkings
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

So much of life in pictures on social media is beauty but reality is very different. My joy today was being able to listen to this book while completing a chore. ~ This book was beautifully told and elegantly read. Yet, the stories of suffering during WWII were ugly & painful and sad & agonizing. I liked the combination of circus life and Nazi persecution. I was surprised yet pleased with the ending.

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Princess-Kingofkings
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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7 pints of sweet relish

Crazeedi Awesome!! 5y
rather_be_reading oh yum!! 5y
23 likes2 comments
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Princess-Kingofkings
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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My current audiobook and #LitsyLove headed out today. I've even got a letter going to a friend in Missouri. Snail mail 🐌💌 is fun again!

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Princess-Kingofkings
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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started this last night ~ I cringed at the description of babies in the train car

19 likes1 stack add
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Amabear
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Phenomenal. This book was so rich, full of characters, culture, heart wrenching moments that made your heart break in two. This book really got to me in the best way. Circus life in the time of hitlers reign. It was so beyond something I‘d ever imagine with my own brain, I love when a book brings me somewhere I‘d never go on my own. Highly recommend.

SilversReviews I loved learning about the circus during this time too. 5y
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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a.bookish.byrd
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

❤️

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sblbooks
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐
A different take on the Holocaust story. A German traveling circus hides Jews. the story focuses more on the day-to-day life in the circus. The author does not go into a lot of detail about the atrocities committed by the Nazis. Overall, I found it an interesting story.

37 likes2 stack adds
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Headinherbooks_27
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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"Never assume that you know the mind of another."

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R.L.Walker
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

This book caught me from the beginning!! So many feels and an interesting take on WWII.

Sassy_Steph Great book 6y
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JenlovesJT47
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Panpan

I love reading WWII historical fiction and had high hopes for this. IMHO, it sorely missed the mark. The premise was so interesting, with a circus still running during the war, and the circus master hiding several Jews in his crew. There is so much missed opportunity with this story and it read more like a sappy romantic melodrama - highly disappointing, as WWII was filled with plenty of drama and the characters here make so many unrealistic ⬇️

JenlovesJT47 Choices that it left me scratching my head in a few places. I didn‘t hate it, but the characters were not overly compelling and it took me 3 weeks to finish it. 2⭐️ #historicalfiction #WWII 6y
JulAnna Thanks for the review! I read one of her earlier books, The Kommandant‘s daughter, quite a few years ago. I didn‘t like it at all, but many people other people seemed to. I think I had some of the same complaints with that one as you do here. At least I know now to steer clear! 😊 6y
JenlovesJT47 @JulAnna thank you, I‘m glad it‘s not just me! It‘s so disappointing because it‘s a great idea for a story, just executed poorly. 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh nooooo 😱😱😱😱 lol it‘s on my shelf!!! 6y
68 likes1 stack add4 comments
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morgan_krahn
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Pickpick

Finished this one up on audio while at work this morning, and I‘ve got to say....I loved it! Definitely not my normal pick, but so so glad I gave it a chance. The friendship between Noa and Astrid amid all the hardships is absolutely beautiful. And the ending had me just about in tears. 4.5/5 ⭐️

StephanieMarie I really enjoyed this one as well! 6y
73 likes1 stack add1 comment
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morgan_krahn
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
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Little bit of audio working today. Enjoying this one even though I‘m generally not a fan of anything historical 🤷🏼‍♀️

70 likes1 stack add