Set in pandemic-stricken Philadelphia in 1918, The Orphan Collector is the story of Pia Lange, the daughter of German immigrants trying to Americanize themselves at a time when Germans were not welcome by many. Her father is off fighting the war in Europe, her mother doing her best to hold the small family together in the city. People are dying all over the city from the Spanish Flu and Pia’s mother does not escape that fate. With no family to turn to, thirteen-year-old Pia is left to take care of her infant twin brothers.
Pia must make the gut-wrenching decision to leave the four-month-old twins in the apartment to go out and scavenge for food. While she is out, she becomes sick and by the time she can return to her home the babies are gone. She is heartbroken and devasted and feels she has let her family down.
A neighbor, Bernice Groves has lost her own child and husband and is sees Pia leave the apartment. She is very bitter woman and blames all immigrants for her misfortune. She decides to do something about it and evolves into the Orphan Collector.
Wiseman’s storytelling is so vivid and thrilling, it takes you to a time you may have heard of before but could have never truly imagined. While reading this book I could not help but compare what was happening then to what is happening now. There are similarities to be sure, but the hardships then were so much more to bear. The author has created such rich characters, especially Pia who must survive somehow. She has lost everyone including her best friend and she suffers greatly, but she perseveres.
Many thanks to the author, Bookish First and the publisher for the chance to read and review this wonderful story that will stay with me for a long time.
Pia must make the gut-wrenching decision to leave the four-month-old twins in the apartment to go out and scavenge for food. While she is out, she becomes sick and by the time she can return to her home the babies are gone. She is heartbroken and devasted and feels she has let her family down.
A neighbor, Bernice Groves has lost her own child and husband and is sees Pia leave the apartment. She is very bitter woman and blames all immigrants for her misfortune. She decides to do something about it and evolves into the Orphan Collector.
Wiseman’s storytelling is so vivid and thrilling, it takes you to a time you may have heard of before but could have never truly imagined. While reading this book I could not help but compare what was happening then to what is happening now. There are similarities to be sure, but the hardships then were so much more to bear. The author has created such rich characters, especially Pia who must survive somehow. She has lost everyone including her best friend and she suffers greatly, but she perseveres.
Many thanks to the author, Bookish First and the publisher for the chance to read and review this wonderful story that will stay with me for a long time.