Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Orphan's Tale
The 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 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 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
SabGinesi
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

I started this book for a bookclub, excited to get into it!
#😄#bookclub#canada

review
marleed
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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.

blurb
kspenmoll
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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! 1y
Eggs Thanks for sharing this link - I want to read each and every one of them 💙💙 1y
54 likes2 comments
review
Jnnlb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
SilversReviews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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 ❤️ 2y
SilversReviews @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love her books….this is heartbreaking, but very good as always. ENJOY!! 2y
Eggs Love Jenoff❤️❤️ I never knew about these circuses in WWII until I read the book! 2y
SilversReviews @Eggs I didn‘t either. I always learn something every time I read a book about WWII. 2y
39 likes4 comments
blurb
Eggs
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

Travelling circus - WW2

#train #savvysettings @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I love Jenoff‘s HF, do you?

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my shelf!! 2y
DarkMina Ooh stacked! 2y
69 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Nute
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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.🌨

blurb
Susanita
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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) 2y
Suet624 @Andrew65 How are you feeling now, Andrew? 2y
Andrew65 @Suet624 Taken four months but now back to normal or just about, but left me with a flare up of IBS / GERD. 2y
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. 2y
TheSpineView 👍📖📚 2y
45 likes5 comments
blurb
robinb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

@BridgetteM I‘m sending your #LMPBC book back tomorrow from our final rotation.
#Round012 #GroupI

review
robinb
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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⭐️ 2y
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) 2y
60 likes2 comments
review
megnews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
Purpleness
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
blurb
peaKnit
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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
review
Wslovell
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

Fantastic read!

34 likes1 stack add
blurb
SilversReviews
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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 ❤️📚 🎪 3y
TheKidUpstairs ❤📚 3y
41 likes2 comments
review
Kaila-ann
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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.

22 likes1 stack add
review
LeafingThroughLife
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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
blurb
Melzy_rose90
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

I received this book from my mum as a gift last Christmas 🎄 📚

1) I haven‘t actually had any unusual jobs, tbh.

2) This week I am thankful to be able to quarantine with people I love and in a house with air conditioning #ThankfulThursday @TheSpineView @MySharonaK

TheSpineView Thanks for the tag! 🌞🏷 4y
MySharonaK Thank you for the tag ❣️ 4y
Cosmos_Moon Yay for A/C and loved ones 🥰 4y
6 likes3 comments
blurb
LatrelWhite
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

Finishing up my weekend read & listening🎧

13 likes1 stack add
review
kstadt929
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
kstadt929
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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!

review
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.

review
TorieStorieS
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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

quote
CMB
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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 3y
11 likes1 comment
review
JordanReadsTooMuch
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

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

review
AmyK1
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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

blurb
throwmeabook
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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 😊 4y
33 likes1 comment
review
Eggs
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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
review
bookaholic1
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

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

S3V3N I loved this book! 4y
18 likes1 comment
review
StephMC82
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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. 4y
9 likes1 comment
blurb
Bookwormjillk
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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 🌷

blurb
Bookwormjillk
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

Up early listening to audiobooks and making pie. I love fall.

review
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
blurb
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
blurb
Caroline2
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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
review
Princess-Kingofkings
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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.

blurb
Princess-Kingofkings
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

7 pints of sweet relish

Crazeedi Awesome!! 5y
rather_be_reading oh yum!! 5y
23 likes2 comments
blurb
Princess-Kingofkings
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

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!

blurb
Princess-Kingofkings
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

started this last night ~ I cringed at the description of babies in the train car

19 likes1 stack add
review
Amabear
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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
review
a.bookish.byrd
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

❤️

review
sblbooks
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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
quote
Nu-Bibliophile
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

"Never assume that you know the mind of another."

31 likes1 stack add
review
R.L.Walker
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Pickpick

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

Sassy_Steph Great book 5y
98 likes6 stack adds1 comment
review
JenlovesJT47
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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 5y
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! 😊 5y
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. 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Oh nooooo 😱😱😱😱 lol it‘s on my shelf!!! 5y
68 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
morgan_krahn
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
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! 5y
73 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
morgan_krahn
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image

Little bit of audio working today. Enjoying this one even though I‘m generally not a fan of anything historical 🤷🏼‍♀️

70 likes1 stack add
review
Tadams4
The Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
Pickpick

A well crafted and wonderful World War II story. Interesting characters and perfectly paced action!

review
BarbaraTheBibliophage
Orphan's Tale | Pam Jenoff
post image
Mehso-so

Pam Jenoff writes the story of two women trying to survive Hitler‘s Europe. Noa and Astrid have absolutely nothing in common. They‘ve both had troubles with men, compounded by the deadly prejudices of the time. In order to survive, they team up as aerialists in a traveling circus. Noa is naive and Astrid is prickly, and the writing is more melodramatic than I like. It‘s a “borrow don‘t buy.”

Full review www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2019

Susanita I heard someone on a podcast recently talking about the flood of WW2 books, and they thought it might have to do with the realization that the folks who fought in the war or were otherwise affected are rapidly leaving their time on Earth. 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Susanita That‘s a really interesting theory. Makes sense. 5y
Foragingfantasy I liked the story but I felt the writing was thin. I‘m all about circus stories and ww2 stories so I had to read it. 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Foragingfantasy I picked it up because she was coming to a bookstore nearby. I do like WWII stories, but this just didn‘t grip me like they usually do. 5y
98 likes4 comments