REVIEW | ‘THE ORPHAN’S TALE’

I  first became a fan of Pam Jenoff when I read one of her short stories in the compilation, 'Grand Central: Original Stories of Post-War Love and Reunion.”

Her research is impeccable and the desire to share the stories of those who suffered and lost or those who saved others during a horrible time in our history makes her a much-loved historical fiction author. With her newest book, 'The Orphan Tale,” she tells a story of two women, unlikely to ever cross paths that now must rely on each other to survive.

Jenoff writes the chapters from Noa's or Astrid's voice, one of my favorite writing styles.

Noa is kicked out of her home at 16 when her Dutch parents find out she is pregnant by a Nazi soldier. The orphanage she lives in takes her baby promising he'll be sent to a good family. Lost and alone she works cleaning a train station until fleeing after witnessing something she will never be able to erase from her mind.

Astrid is served divorce papers because she is a Jew from her German soldier husband. Astrid who grew up in the circus, is forced to go to a competing circus to ask for a job and most importantly, to be hidden.

Noa and Astrid are forced to work together finding their lives depend not only on the circus staying alive during the war, but also sharing the secrets they've hidden from each other.

Who knew the circus would have still been allowed while the travesties of World War II were taking place. Thankfully, many people were saved because of their role in the circus and others were hidden from the Nazi officers and kept safe. The friendships made created a family for many of them who had nothing else.

Even though the two women are fictional, Jenoff based them on true stories while letting her imagination take us on an emotional trip back in time.

Jenoff served as a U.S. diplomat in Poland and her time working with Holocaust survivors profoundly affected her. Stories like these offer readers a reminder that even during the most horrible times, there was always a way to find the good in others.

Jenoff writes a riveting, heartbreaking and memorable story that is sure to make many top book lists for 2017.