Bridget Collins is in dire straits – she needs to get out of New York, fast. With two young siblings under her wing, her options are limited.Her priest sends her as an outplacement agent on the orphan trains that run from New York to out west.With almost forty orphans under her care, she’s relieved fellow and more experienced outplacement agent Carl Watson, is there to guide her. But Carl is … Carl is dealing with his own trauma and finds it difficult to handle the pain the orphans are dealing with.
Through tears and laughter, everyone on the orphan train has a lesson to teach about love, life and loyalty. And Bridget finds a new, unexpected calling. Every child deserves a happy home and Bridget is determined to do whatever it takes to ensure that happens. No matter what the cost…
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Beautiful story
This is a marvelous story that speaks of the bravery people show in very difficult situations and the kindness of others.
Have your tissues handy. Such sad stories for these orphans. Was happy to see some of them had happy endings. Life was rough for the poor and orphaned and the immigrants back then. Looking forward to reading book 2 in the series.
All of the Orphan Train books are wonderful!
Enjoyed this book, the characters, and the story. I also read the 2nd book and it was just as good.
I enjoyed the book . It is sad but inspirational
I absolutely loved this book; it made me cry; it made me feel; and, it made me think. Today has been some firsts for me in reading about an orphan train. This book is poignant, compassionate and filled with emotional feelings. I love reading about the old west, the triumphs and emotions that went into building new lives. Never has it been described in depth about the children that made up families, traveled across the continent into a world unknown and subjected to the good, the bad and the ugly people that make up our world. Look at your sweet little toddler girl or sweet hearted little boy and imagine the fright they would feel in being accepted as well as rejected. This is the story-line in this book. How the poorest of the poor; the lost and lonely children; the crippled and beaten on the streets; ended up on trains west to wherever someone would give them a new life. Many found new and wonderful lives and many met with terrible people who enslaved them but, I want to feel that there were instances where a majority found the middle area of a home where they grew into good adults with schooling and values that make up our country. The book is intense.
I love this author and the orphan train books!! They share an amazing piece of our history that many have not heard, the realistic questions and doubts of the very strong ,real characters really add to the plot. Their inner searching was heartfelt and convicting. This book leaves you with an awareness of human struggling at its best and it’s worst and helps you come to terms with the stretch needed to be true to yourself especially when it’s not easy! Thanks for this enjoyable, enlightening soul searching novel. You’ve done it again you aced it!
Orphan Train Escape by Rachel Wesson
Narrated by Ruth Urquhart
June 22, 2019
5 stars
I read this book last summer and now I’ve enjoyed the audiobook version! I was very pleased with the narration and it added to the story I believe! Ruth did a fine job with the Irish characters and I was especially pleased with the male voices.
Here’s is my previous review of the book. (My first impressions were very accurate!)
July 17, 2018
Such an emotional book! I loved this story of Bridget and her family, as they suffer like many in this time did in NYC! But there’s a new hope as well as tragedy on the orphan train! Come and follow this new series by the incredible Rachel Wesson!