The Orphan Collector

Just finished reading The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman. I highly recommend this book. It is the 5th book that the author has written. This story is timely due to the pandemic we are experiencing now. It is set in Philadelphia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. The main character, Pia Lange is a brave, fiesty 13 year old full of courage to fight for her twin infant brothers. The story is about her struggles, after her mother dies from the flu, leaving her to take care of the boys. Her father is away fighting in WW1. She is left, living in the slums of Philadelphia, in search of food for herself & her brothers. The story takes her on a journey in search of her brothers, who disappeared when she was searching for food. There are many characters from the despicable Bernice to the kind couple who helped in her search. Many twists and turns in this novel. The story is woven beautifully! You will not be able to put this book down!! As I relayed each chapter to my husband, he was drawn into the story! He\’d ask \”whats happening now\”! A definite 5 Star book that must be made Into a MOVIE!!

This is the second book I read from this author and I will not be reading another. I did enjoy getting a glimpse behind what it may have been like during the Spanish flu and that time era. And I do like how she includes more info at the end of the novel. The reason for three stars is for her over use of certain description. It was a little annoying as I read What She Left Behind. But then those same descriptions were all over The Orphan Collector; wobbly legs, weak legs, watery legs, trembling legs, shaking legs, pressed her lips together in a hard thin line, chewed the inside of her cheek. The actions of Nurse Wallis seemed like a far reach as well, like something you\’d see on a soap opera.

This plot was interesting, taught some history I\’d heard about but didn\’t see a possible nefarious angle to, and made me love the protagonist (Pia) and hope the best for her. Satisfying. My only frustration is one I note in many novels of earlier times–editors don\’t catch phrasing that is totally modern and not accurate to that era, or the author doesn\’t realize that making a character say something might never have been done in that time. For example, at one point, a male character says in mixed company, \”Bloody hell!\” Men didn\’t do that in the teens and 20s. However, I can still enjoy the plot twists and surprise positive outcomes, at the same time I felt I was learning more about the desperation and mores of the time that drove people\’s actions. So a definitely worthwhile read!

This book will leave an indelible imagine on your psyche. So many issues of human nature are displayed in this historical tale of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. It’s well researched and entertaining at the same time. The protagonist, Pia, carries you through events that are unimaginable for a young girl to endure. Her strength and fortitude are admirable. Beatrice, her nemesis, is the ying to Pia’s yang displaying the worst of human nature. Her ability to justify her actions will astound you as the story unfolds. The authors descriptions are vivid and gripping. It’s like” watching a train wreck and not being able to turn away.” Without divulging too much, it’s a great read! While it was a devastating time in history whose lessons we seemed not to have learned, the story is ultimately hopeful. A great read for Book Clubs!!

Covid has been compared to the Spanish Flu which is when this novel takes place. Though it was written prior to the outbreak. If you are real tired of covid or epidemic talk then you may get triggered by this book and would suggest waiting. Now for the review and spoilers: We meet Pia, a 13 year old immigrant. Long story short, her father is killed in war, her mother dies due to the flu and her twin infant brothers are taken away while she is out trying to find food. She contracts but recovers from the flu and sent to an orphanage. The facility is pretty grim and there are some disturbing details of life there. Her best friend if Finn and they are reunited briefly at the orphanage but Finn disappears overnight. Meanwhile throughout we read about the villian Bernice who has lost both husband and infant and poses as a nurse to collect donations as such to survive. She begins to literally take immigrant children to orphanages or sends them on trains lying about them being adopted. Eventually Pia is sent to live with a doctor and his growing family as basically a live in nanny. The family is very nice and Pia eventually is accepted as a family member. We also learn Pia has a very special gift of sensing sickness. During her time with the family she becomes reunited with Finn and is able to confront Bernice (who is the one that took her brothers). We fast forward 5 years when Pia turns 18 and we read descriptions of how beautiful she has become and how handsome Finn has become, no romance. She is reunited with her brothers. This is the first novel Of Ellens that I feel is set up for a sequel. Finn and Pia do have some chemistry and the novel ends post WW1 but a little before the depression. It would be very interesting to read a sequel where Pia and Finn marry and have a family and go through the depression. Overall I like the book. But I would put it in 4th place out of 5 of Ellen\’s novels as my favorite.

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