In this stunning new historical novel inspired by true events, Kim van Alkemade tells the fascinating story of a woman who must choose between revenge and mercy when she encounters the doctor who subjected her to dangerous medical experiments in a New York City Jewish orphanage years before.
In 1919, Rachel Rabinowitz is a vivacious four-year-old living with her family in a crowded tenement on … tenement on New York City’s Lower Eastside. When tragedy strikes, Rachel is separated from her brother Sam and sent to a Jewish orphanage where Dr. Mildred Solomon is conducting medical research. Subjected to X-ray treatments that leave her disfigured, Rachel suffers years of cruel harassment from the other orphans. But when she turns fifteen, she runs away to Colorado hoping to find the brother she lost and discovers a family she never knew she had.
Though Rachel believes she’s shut out her painful childhood memories, years later she is confronted with her dark past when she becomes a nurse at Manhattan’s Old Hebrews Home and her patient is none other than the elderly, cancer-stricken Dr. Solomon. Rachel becomes obsessed with making Dr. Solomon acknowledge, and pay for, her wrongdoing. But each passing hour Rachel spends with the old doctor reveal to Rachel the complexities of her own nature. She realizes that a person’s fate—to be one who inflicts harm or one who heals—is not always set in stone.
Lush in historical detail, rich in atmosphere and based on true events, Orphan #8 is a powerful, affecting novel of the unexpected choices we are compelled to make that can shape our destinies.
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I like to read books that are fact based reality. I learned so much about the orphanage systems and the atrocities that were associated with them. The author wrote this based upon some personal history. The notes at the back were interesting to read. I would definitely recommend this book.
Orphan #8 is a standalone, historical fiction novel written by English professor and now author: Kim van Alkemade. This is her first published novel.
The synopsis of Orphan #8 immediately intrigued me and as I began the audiobook, I felt engaged right away. The main character: Rachel Rabinowitz is a work of fiction, but her story is based on very real people, places, and events from 1920’s America. Orphan #8 follows Rachel through alternating timeframes, first when she is a young child who has been committed to an orphanage and then as an adult who continues to be physically and emotionally haunted by her young life experiences. This setup creates two distinct storylines that alternate as the story progresses.
In her book, Ms. Alkemade has layered many important elements for readers to reflect on. The ones I noted include: the treatment of children in social services, the loss of cultural/ spiritual/ familial identity often experienced by children in care, the emotional and social stressors commonly associated with appearing physically different than others, historical views towards women’s independence and sexuality, the beautiful sense of connectedness felt among the Jewish people, and the power we all possess to hold blame or let go, to seek retribution or offer forgiveness, to inflict harm or show mercy. I enjoyed Orphan #8 and am so glad I read it. Check it out!
Strange read from what I usually enjoy. Well written and it keeps your attention throughout.
I loved reading Orphan #8. This story satisfied my curiosity for both historical buildings and the people that lived in them. The details allowed me to easily imagine this institution and the unfortunate events that happened inside. As I read the book, I couldn’t help but feel Rachel’s disappointments, small joys and inner struggle questioning her right to justice. I don’t want to give away the ending, so I’ll say it’s bittersweet.
I loved this book, very factual based on some real people and things that really happened. I found the topic stimulating and I had to ask others if they knew this really went on in this country
This book was really good. I LOVE it.
Great book!
At times I thought a little depressing how the children were done
This was a well written book! Very interesting and different storyline! I highly recommend it!
Not what I expected, but informative about the subject matter
I had a difficult time understanding the story because it flipped so much with her life.
What a writer! The characters were so realistic. The dual timeline allows you tim to catch your breath. Learned a lot of medical history, too. Recommend this book highly.
This is a very compelling historical novel. I had no idea about experiments being conducted on children who had no voice or advocates.
This story, although difficult subject matter, was absolutely an awesome read. Thank you.
Inspired by true events, a helpless orphan is used as a test subject in barbaric research procedures which results in a permanent condition of alopecia. Later, when the psychopathic doctor reappears in her life, she discovers even greater consequences of the devastating “research” performed on her. The subject of revenge occurs several times in the book, and I found it fascinating how the author chose to give it such depth and contrasting perception. I also thought the author had an excellent way of demonstrating how the willingness to please in a love-deprived/love-starved individual might manifest. I found this book heartbreaking, touching, yet freshly unique.
Extremely well written and moving account that touches on many issues, poverty during the Great Depression, the history of the Hebrew Infant Home and the Orphaned Hebrews Home, medical research and experiments, and the precarious and heartbreaking lives of Lesbian women in the shadows of an unforgiving society.
Did not know this jewish tragedy of ignorance and racism existed. My lily white existance never went there
Unlike any other book I’ve read. Fresh and new.
Highly recommend
just loved it!