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49 pages 1 hour read

The Orphan Collector: A Heroic Novel of Survival During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Book Brief

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Ellen Marie Wiseman

The Orphan Collector

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 1910s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman follows 13-year-old German immigrant Pia Lange, living in Philadelphia during the 1918 flu pandemic. After Pia's mother dies, leaving her to care for her infant brothers, Pia falls ill and is separated from them. Neighbor Bernice Groves, grieving her own loss, kidnaps the twins and begins exploiting other immigrant children. Pia's journey to find her brothers reveals themes of survival, resilience, and the impacts of societal prejudice during a crisis. Descriptions of death, child abuse, racism, anti-immigrant bias, kidnapping, and suicidal ideation appear in the text.

Dark

Melancholic

Emotional

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.4

65,701 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman is compelling for its vivid portrayal of the Spanish flu pandemic and its impact on an orphaned girl. Positive reviews highlight its gripping narrative and historical accuracy. Criticisms center on some predictable plot points and emotional intensity that can feel overwhelming. Overall, it’s a moving but intense read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Orphan Collector?

Readers who appreciate historical fiction with emotional depth, akin to The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, will be captivated by Ellen Marie Wiseman's The Orphan Collector. Fans of stories that explore resilience and the human spirit during challenging times will find this a compelling read.

4.4

65,701 ratings

85%

Loved it

12%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Character List

Pia Lange

A 13-year-old German immigrant with a unique ability to sense others' pain, who becomes the caretaker of her baby brothers after her mother's death.

A religious war widow who, rationalizing her actions as patriotism, takes drastic measures that affect Pia's family during a crisis.

Pia's compassionate friend from school, originally from Ireland, who supports her and stands up for her amidst challenges.

A kind and generous woman who hires Pia and becomes a supportive figure in her life, treating her with warmth and understanding.

A doctor who values Pia's unique abilities and supports her as a father figure in the household.

Pia's mother, who navigates the challenges of immigrant life in America, instilling strength and care in Pia before her passing.

The four-month-old twin brothers of Pia, who become central to the story after a significant event alters their lives.

A young mother connected to the Hudsons through a tragic circumstance, who later helps Pia and Finn.

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • 1910s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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