The Orphan's Tale: A Novel
Look for Pam Jenoff's new novel, The Woman with the Blue Star, an unforgettable story of courage and friendship during wartime.
A New York Times bestseller!
"Readers who enjoyed Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants will embrace this novel. " --Library Journal
"Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion.... I read this novel in a headlong rush." --Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train
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.
Don't miss Pam Jenoff's new novel, Last Twilight in Paris, a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about love and survival.
Read these other sweeping epics from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff:
A New York Times bestseller!
"Readers who enjoyed Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants will embrace this novel. " --Library Journal
"Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion.... I read this novel in a headlong rush." --Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train
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.
Don't miss Pam Jenoff's new novel, Last Twilight in Paris, a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about love and survival.
Read these other sweeping epics from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff:
- Code Name Sapphire
- The Lost Girls of Paris
- The Woman with the Blue Star
- The Ambassador's Daughter
- The Diplomat's Wife
- The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach
- The Kommandant's Girl
- The Winter Guest
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
thenextgoodbook.com
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
342 pages
What’s it about?
This story was inspired by a German Circus that hid Jews during World War II. The story is told by alternating narrators- two women with secrets to hide. Both Noa (a young girl new to the circus) and Astrid (a veteran circus performer) have many secrets and yet become unlikely allies in their fight to survive.
What did it make me think about?
How unlikely life can be. I also think that World War II is such an easy place to set a book when we want a clear cut villain to root against.
Should I read it?
This book reminded me of “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. “The Orphan’s Tale” is a suspenseful book set during World War II that pits good vs. evil. I imagine it will be very popular as it is easy to read, has good characters, and an interesting plot. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in World War II will enjoy this book.
Quote-
“I should not be here either, I realize. Anxiety quickly replaces my sadness. I cannot afford to loiter and risk being spotted by whoever lives here now, or face questions about who I am and why I have come.”
If you like this try-
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Among the Living by Jonathan Rabb
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
The Book of Aron by Jim Shepard
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
342 pages
What’s it about?
This story was inspired by a German Circus that hid Jews during World War II. The story is told by alternating narrators- two women with secrets to hide. Both Noa (a young girl new to the circus) and Astrid (a veteran circus performer) have many secrets and yet become unlikely allies in their fight to survive.
What did it make me think about?
How unlikely life can be. I also think that World War II is such an easy place to set a book when we want a clear cut villain to root against.
Should I read it?
This book reminded me of “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah. “The Orphan’s Tale” is a suspenseful book set during World War II that pits good vs. evil. I imagine it will be very popular as it is easy to read, has good characters, and an interesting plot. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in World War II will enjoy this book.
Quote-
“I should not be here either, I realize. Anxiety quickly replaces my sadness. I cannot afford to loiter and risk being spotted by whoever lives here now, or face questions about who I am and why I have come.”
If you like this try-
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Among the Living by Jonathan Rabb
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
The Book of Aron by Jim Shepard
This WW 2 novel takes place primarily in a traveling circus during the Nazi reign in Germany. The author was inspired by several true accounts. It was a little hard to get into at first but it picked up. Overall I enjoyed it.
What a wonderful book! If you like books about the circus or historical fiction, then this is a great book for you! It started out a little slow but really picked up! Great book!
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.