Instant New York Times BestsellerFrom the internationally bestselling author of What She Left Behind comes a gripping and powerful tale of upheaval—a heartbreaking saga of resilience and hope perfect for fans of Beatriz Williams and Kristin Hannah—set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak—the deadly pandemic that went on to infect one-third of the world’s population… the world’s population…
“Readers will not be able to help making comparisons to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how little has changed since 1918. Wiseman has written a touching tale of loss, survival, and perseverance with some light fantastical elements. Highly recommended.”
—Booklist
“An immersive historical tale with chilling twists and turns. Beautifully told and richly imagined.”
—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter
In the fall of 1918, thirteen-year-old German immigrant Pia Lange longs to be far from Philadelphia’s overcrowded slums and the anti-immigrant sentiment that compelled her father to enlist in the U.S. Army. But as her city celebrates the end of war, an even more urgent threat arrives: the Spanish flu. Funeral crepe and quarantine signs appear on doors as victims drop dead in the streets and desperate survivors wear white masks to ward off illness. When food runs out in the cramped tenement she calls home, Pia must venture alone into the quarantined city in search of supplies, leaving her baby brothers behind.
Bernice Groves has become lost in grief and bitterness since her baby died from the Spanish flu. Watching Pia leave her brothers alone, Bernice makes a shocking, life-altering decision. It becomes her sinister mission to tear families apart when they’re at their most vulnerable, planning to transform the city’s orphans and immigrant children into what she feels are “true Americans.”
Waking in a makeshift hospital days after collapsing in the street, Pia is frantic to return home. Instead, she is taken to St. Vincent’s Orphan Asylum – the first step in a long and arduous journey. As Bernice plots to keep the truth hidden at any cost in the months and years that follow, Pia must confront her own shame and fear, risking everything to see justice – and love – triumph at last. Powerful, harrowing, and ultimately exultant, The Orphan Collector is a story of love, resilience, and the lengths we will go to protect those who need us most.
“Wiseman’s writing is superb, and her descriptions of life during the Spanish Flu epidemic are chilling. Well-researched and impossible to put down, this is an emotional tug-of-war played out brilliantly on the pages and in readers’ hearts.”
—The Historical Novels Review, EDITOR’S CHOICE
“Wiseman’s depiction of the horrifying spread of the Spanish flu is eerily reminiscent of the present day and resonates with realistic depictions of suffering, particularly among the poorer immigrant population.”
—Publishers Weekly (Boxed Review)
“Reading the novel in the time of COVID-19 adds an even greater resonance, and horror, to the description of the fatal spread of that 1918 flu.”
—Kirkus Review
“An emotional roller coaster…I felt Pia’s strength, courage, guilt, and grief come through the pages clear as day.”
—The Seattle Book Review
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The main character, Pia, has a tragic life. We follow her family through the 1918 flu epidemic. There are so many twists and turns in this story. It keeps you at the edge of your seat. I found myself staying up late at night reading. Can’t wait to read more of Ellen Marie Wiseman.s novels.
Our Gem is delicate, pale pink and blue striated with veins off a sickening dark greenish yellow. Like some pervasive illness that attacks everything in it’s path. But look closer and you will notice the light brightens the pink and blue and causes the poisonous color to fade. It gives one Hope. This is Gem Maker Ellen Marie Wiseman’s “The Orphan Collector”.
Before I talk about this Tale, I want to talk about the cover. I rarely do this, I know, but this cover speaks volumes. The colors are perfect..Ashes of Roses pink they called it when I was a Nestling so many years ago. Roses are often used to cover the smell of decay. The painting of the girl with her head in her hands is heart wrenching to anyone who loves Nestlings. It is Powerful indeed. “You must read me”, it commands and I agree.
Ms. Wiseman has given us a great and timely gift in the story of thirteen year old Pia Lange. She is a German Immigrant at a most unfortunate time, the First World War. Mankind called it “The War to end All Wars”. Pia’s father is fighting in the Army of his new Homeland. Her mother and twin infant brothers and Pia are fighting too, on the home front. As German Immigrants they are suspected at every turn because the enemy is Germany.
They have signed loyalty oaths, no longer speak German, Pia is made fun of at school. She is a sensitive girl who cannot stand to be touched, shy to the point of pain. Her mother has lost her job because the factories don’t want German workers. On top of all this comes an invisible enemy. The Spanish Flu. It will steal an already incredibly altered life from an already overwhelmed Pia.
The villain in this story is a woman who has lost her own child to Spanish Flu. In her grief she decides to take immigrant orphans and make them “True Americans”. She is a person to be pitied at first. In this Flu there are all kinds of victims. She will be the next to alter life for Pia in such a cruel way that I had to stop reading along the way to catch my breath.
I read this book in twelve hours. I could not put it down. Ms. Wiseman’s style is eloquent but not stuffy, powerful but not preachy and her gift to us is a tale that is timely and once read will not soon be forgotten.
If someone doesn’t make this into a film they have lost a tremendous opportunity. It begs to be on screen. But they need to follow the book, because otherwise there is absolutely no point, it is just another waste of time and film.
This book is timely, not only because of the Spanish Flu, but because of the missing children. We have 18,500+ Nestlings missing here in the State of Ohio where my Cave is located up in these Appalachian Hills.
Every day parents and siblings go to bed not knowing where their Nestlings and brothers or sisters are. Every single day. I don’t know about you, but as a parent of my own Nestling, I believe that is a tragedy.
If you want to treat yourself to a well researched, well written, excellently turned out novel, then “The Orphan Collector” is for you. The holidays will be here before you know it. This would be an excellent book to share as well.
Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book from #KensingtonBooks after I won it from Bookish First. My opinions are my own
The Orphan Collector is an extraordinary story about one young girls survival during a catastrophic time in American history. I wasn’t too familiar with the Spanish Flu of 1918 so this book was a real eye opener, with more facts and information contained in the discussion questions in the back that would make this an excellent book club book. It was also very surreal to read this during the current Covid pandemic, and to compare the devastating effects both plagues have had on our nation.
When 13 year ago Pia Lange loses her mother to the flu she is left to care for her twin brothers Ollie and Max. She knows that with no food or supplies left they will not survive, so she must leave them alone to seek out her neighbors for help. Bernice Groves is grieving the loss of her baby boy. What she does to overcome her grief will have a devastating impact on Pia’s life and change its course forever.
Ellen Marie Wiseman is a brilliant storyteller. This book was both heart-wrenching, yet hopeful and made me feel so many emotions as I read page after page. I couldn’t put the book down. It tore at my heartstrings. Pia’s strength, hope, courage, and determination make her an unforgettable character. I highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading more by this author!
4 stars
Riveting!
I just finished reading The Orphan Collector. The story was riveting. The reader is drawn into the effects of the Spanish Flu in Philadelphia through the eyes of a young German immigrant Pia. Pia, her mother, and infant twin boys live in a small apartment in a run-down section of the city. Ellen Wiseman’s writing made this reader feel like I was right there with Pia. Pia’s father is in the army and fighting WWI in Europe.
I have read a lot about the Spanish flu and its effects. From mask use, effects of Philadelphia’s parade on increased spread, to families dying and small children orphaned…the writer vividly writes about this difficult time in our history.
Pia has many obstacles to overcome throughout the book, and the reader keeps pulling for her. There is also a villain, Nurse Wallis, aka Berniece, who complicates everything. This is a great story. I do think there was a mystical part (minor) that was not needed, and there was one part of the climax that I think could have been changed to make it better.
Thank you BookishFirst and Kensington books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Such a timely book, it’s hard to believe that it was written well over a year ago. The first chapter felt like I was transported from 2020 and Covid 19 back to 1918 and Spanish Influenza. That chapter, that set the stage, had so many similarities to what is happening today it was eerie.
The main character is Pia Lange, a 13 year old girl, daughter of German immigrants. Her father was off to war and her mother succumbed to the flu. She was left with her twin brothers who were infants. I’m not going to summarize any more of the plot, that has already been done by the publishers and many other reviews.
Hats off to the author for all the research that was necessary to make this book what it is.
The strength of character that Pia exhibited was amazing. She endured more at her young age than many of us do in a lifetime. Yet, through all her hardships she did not give up hope. Pia carried a lot of guilt but still kept looking forward, she did not give up. I cheered for her from beginning to end. And I booed the wicked character that Pia was up against.
Some of it was hard to read, it broke my heart. This book was both plot driven and very much character driven. I have been a fan of Ellen Marie Wiseman’s since I read her first book. I truly think that her writing and her stories improve with each book. I cannot wait to see what comes next!
This book is the best one yet by this author and she writes some very good books. It’s such an emotional and touching story. It will leave you breathless. It’s filled with things that really did happen and the young girl Pia was so likable. She never, ever, gives up. I loved her.
In 1918 the Spanish flu hit America with a vengeance, killing so many. Leaving so many children without parents and so many parents without their children. This book is a story of one place where it hit and hit hard. Where children were placed in orphanages after the loss of their parents. Where parents were given children after losing theirs. It’s fiction but will leave you wondering how often some of these things really happened. Reading this during a pandemic in 2020 is a bit scary. But I’m so glad I read this book. It touched my heart. Broke my heart. Brought tears to my eyes many times.
Pia is only thirteen during the Spanish flu outbreak. She’s scared and trying her best to care for her baby twin brothers. She’s lost her mom and her dad is in the army so she has to do what she can to keep herself and her brothers alive. She leaves to go find food so they won’t starve but falls ill and can’t get back. When she finally does her baby brothers are gone. She will spend the next several years looking for them. She never gives up hope that they are alive and well. She’s taken from the hospital to an orphanage where she begs for help finding her bothers. The worse thing is the nuns in the orphanage seem so mean and cruel. I will never understand how anyone can be so cruel to children. They are our helpless little victims. They are the future. Pia is finally sent to work for a family and her life changes forever.
Bernice Groves lost her child to the flu. I felt sorry for her for that but she is truly an evil woman who I ended up hating. I never ever, not once, felt sorry for her again. She took Pia’s brothers when Pia was in the hospital. But not for the right reasons. She needed them to help her. They gave her a reason to live. But she was truly a bad woman. She did things that will make your blood boil. She hurt people, children, families. She hated children of immigrants and thought they were less than human. Kind of like some people still are sadly. Bernice is a very selfish person who thinks the only people who count are Americans. Everyone else needs to leave.
This is a very good story of love, loss, death, devastation, heartache, love, family and much more. There are several characters you will truly love and root for. There are also some that you will want to see destroyed. Well maybe want to see them get what they deserve. Being cruel to any child is just unacceptable. There are lots of very kind people though and you will love them and the good things they do. You will cry at the loss of a child and rejoice at the life of another. Yes this is a very emotional book. But so worth reading.
The author shares NOTES at the end that are so worth reading. It’s very obvious she put a lot of work and research into this book. I think it was so well done and the emotions are so real. It’s just an all around great book. Thank you Ellen Marie Wiseman for writing this story.
Thank you #NetGalley, #EllenMarieWiseman, #KensingtonBooks for this ARC. This is my review as told from my heart.
5/5 stars and it needs to be more and a very high recommendation to all.
This is a great book with a relatable heroine whose heartbreaking tale of life during the 1918 Flu Epidemic is emotional and engrossing. Top-notch historical fiction by a proven writer.
Ellen Marie Wiseman wrote this wonderful,exciting,page turning,historical fiction story about a girl who lost all of her family from the time of the Spanish flu..you can tell that she had done a lot of research on this time period in American history.. 1918…even back then,we know so much more now but not so much,but they were smart enough to wear masks and isolate and clean just as we are having to do now with us going through our own virus,except it seems that they took it much more serious than some of the people now in America who refuse to wear a mask and isolate and think this is “going away”..,or the attitude of..It is what it is..for the deaths and headaches of so many…The characters in this story you will come to know and love and then some,not so much like but they become real to you .. Told through the eyes of Pia, the girl who this story is about,what she went through before and after and in between of becoming a orphan..The adventures and headaches she had to face during this terrible time in her life! As you read you become more and more involve in her life where everyone becomes real to you! Watch how Pia grows,goes through so much at the age of 13..Grab yourself some tissues,you will need them!! The writing of Miss Ellen,she has a way with her descriptive words to the point you are right there in the story yourself..A very much of a great read,this book is!!Received this from Net Gallery and thank you so very much !!
This was a timely book to be reading during the Covid 19 Pandemic as it is set during the 1918 Flu epidemic in Philidelphia. A very graphic, emotional story that is heart breaking and heart warming at different times in the story,. I knew the basic history of the 1918 epidemic but the true horror of what went on and what people went thru was truly heartbreaking.. Despite the horrors if was an excellent book, showing both the good and bad sides of humanity. If you like history you will like this book.
Wiseman’s blistering moving and profound novel, set against the devastating backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu, hones in on an extraordinary exploration of the plight of immigrants, as two very different women grapple with finding, keeping, and changing their place in the world. Absolutely amazing.
Set during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, 13 year old German immigrant Pia must care for her twin baby brothers after her mom dies mere hours after showing flu symptoms. Meanwhile, neighbor Bernice is overcome with grief and anger after the loss of her baby son, Wallis, and makes a couple of rash, disturbing decisions that forever alter the lives of herself, Pia, and countless others.
“When the flu first broke out, it was a horrible, terrifying time. It felt like the world was coming to an end.”
Well, wow. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we can all relate to that quote; am I right? It felt almost surreal reading this book as the parallels to the current pandemic are astounding: racism, anti-maskers, gathering areas closed, misinformation, etc. Just like real life, this book provided a look at both the evil and the good that exists in human nature. Parts made me tear up but overall, it’s a timely and endearing story of love, hope, and resilience during hard times. Lastly, for even more information about the Spanish Flu, be sure to read the discussion questions at the end.
If you enjoyed this book, then I would highly recommend What She Left Behind by the same author about the horrific conditions at asylums in the 1930s.
Location: 1918 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Ellen Marie Wiseman has done it again: masterfully recreated a time of crisis in American history — rendering the flu epidemic of 1918 to reveal its devastating impact on families and, most especially, children, who too often endure the egregious actions of amoral adults. The Orphan Collector is a story that relentlessly pursues those intent on committing evil deeds and those who have the courage to defy them. A breathtaking examination of family and social systems.
Of the 75 books I have read so far this year, this is one of the best! The writing quickly pulled me in, and I became totally lost in the story. Definitely a selection for my book club.
It may have been 102 years ago, but the story is especially relevant to us today as we fight a pandemic and deal with immigrant and racial issues. The story has moments of tenderness, but also the grim reality of those who strove to survive through the rampant illness and lack of food, while others took advantage of them. I sometimes found myself holding my breath, afraid of what might happen next as the paths of 13-year-old Pia Lange and Bernice Groves, a widow and grieving mother, continued to cross over the years.
Pia is a wonderfully brave little girl, and my heart ached for her as she endured one loss after another. She carried too heavy a burden of guilt and secrets for such a young girl. And Bernice Groves, the villainess you love to hate, was very well portrayed. Amongst all her cruelness and deviousness, there were fleeting moments when I almost felt sorry for her.
The pacing of the story is superb! It is a complex book, introducing us to a wide array of wonderful characters. But they are gradually introduced and well developed, so I had no difficulty keeping track of them. My attention never once waned from the story. The plotlines were masterfully controlled so that as one would start to lag, another would pick up. The story tugged on my heartstrings, while also filling me with disgust over how some people could be so cruel and heartless. I am in total awe of the writing in this incredibly special book.
Put this on your TBR list right now.
What an amazing historical fiction book with the best characters! Pia is 13 when the Spanish flu hits her town. It kills her Mom and leaves her in charge of her baby twin brothers. She has to leave them alone to go find food and when she comes home her brothers are gone. A neighbor is bitter and hateful over her son dying thinking if there weren’t so many sick immigrants the doctors could have saved her son. As Pia tries to find her brothers and survive life, the story shows you what a brave young girl she is. I loved the characters and the story while hard at times, is truly wonderful. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
Brilliant and powerful are two of the words that come to mind to try and describe what I just read! This is one of the best historical fiction books ever.
The story takes place in Philadelphia in 1918 when the Spanish Flu is just getting started. Pia is a 13-year-old German girl who immigrated to the United States with her mother and father when she was 4 years old. She lives in a very poor neighborhood and has been subject to discrimination. She has twin brothers who are 3 months old when her father decides to join the service and fight for his new country.
As the flu begins to take its toll, Pia is forced to leave her brothers home alone while she goes out in search of food. I hesitate to say any more because I do not want to ruin the story for anyone so I will just leave it here.
This heart-wrenching story is full of hope and despair as it brings out the best and the worst of humanity.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this riveting page-turner in exchange for an honest review.
What a gift you are getting when you begin turning the pages of this read, and believe me they go fast, and the end is there before you realize.
What a timely read, who would have thought that in a way history would be repeating itself?
This story is set in Philadelphia, and life is hard, but no one could have seen how bad it was going to get. First there is a war raging in Europe, then the pandemic, and now orphans.
The author used to magic with the character of Pia, and her counter, not so nice character of Bernice, aka Nurse Wallis, and our journey for reuniting.
Come journey with Pia as she searches for her brothers, ends up in an Orphanage, and is sent as a helper, as she shares her gift!
Be sure to read the author’s notes at the, excellent!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.
The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman is an historical fiction novel that is set during the devastating period of time during the Spanish Influenza of 1918 in Philadelphia.
This book definitely presents itself with heavy and heartbreaking material.
The book mainly alternates between two main characters: young Pia Lange and Bernice Groves.
I will leave the plot summary to the reader to see for themselves.
Without giving away any surprises, I have to say that this was a hard book to read. My heart went out to Pia and all she endured and had to go through to recover and to right the wrongs and find justice. I definitely liked her strong, resilient, loyal, and determined character.
I was not a fan of Bernice at all. In fact, it was actually hard to read the book when it included her, as I disliked her that much. That such strong emotions could be produced from a book is a testament to this author’s talent.
The book kept my attention throughout, but it was definitely a somber and serious story to experience.
4/5 stars
Thank you BookishFirst and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
THE COLLECTOR by, Ellen Marie Wiseman
The Orphan Collector by, Ellen Marie Wiseman
NO SPOILERS.
Ellen Marie Wiseman is a wonderful author, and each and every novel she writes is a prize to read. She has meticulous character development, which is very descriptive and thorough. She researches her topics, and is excellent in setting the stage and background for the book.
The setting for this novel was Philadelphia in 1918-1919 when the Spanish Influenza hit hard and killed millions of people: men, women and children all over the world.
The two main characters are Pia, a thirteen year old child whose father is at war, her mother dies, and she is left in charge and responsible for her twin baby brothers. She also had a 6th sense that helped other people know things that she revealed to them. The other main character is Brenda Groves / Nurse Wallis, a woman who lost her child to the flu, and the evil and harm she lowers herself to in order to get revenge. Her revengeful hate involves prejudice attitudes against immigrants of all backgrounds. Both characters consume the story and the journey for both of them is rough and quite frankly a roller coaster ride!
Who knew about this epidemic? Survival was key, amidst grief, starvation, sleep deprivation, pain and fear. It was a scary time. While Pia was trying to keep her baby brothers alive, they are taken from her, and the story continues in the heartbreaking search for them. Enter Nurse Wallis, who takes them and becomes a character in the story that you develop strong emotions about. She is a bitter woman.
To me, this novel could very well have taken place in current times. The prejudice and hate we are seeing in our society today, the immigration issue, and the flu epidemics of today are very relevant. The way that Ellen Marie Wiseman tells this story with the twists and turns, the reader does not want it to end. The book is plain and simply BRILLIANT. Once in a blue moon a reader comes upon a story that is heart wrenching and a journey well told. This book is just that. It had my attention from the get-go, and I loved every minute of it. I hated for it to end, and can say that I think this is her best book yet. Treat yourself to this book that will not disappoint. I give it a 10/10.
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 sees Pia leave the apartment. She is a 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.
The parallels between the 1918 Flu Pandemic and what we’re going through now are astounding, and you know this book was written a few years ago before our current pandemic. The story is told in alternating viewpoints from Pia, who loses her entire family and ends up in the foster system. She loses her mother, her best friend, and then her twin brothers in a matter of days. She was lucky to survive the flu, but life wasn’t easy for her.
Then Bernice, who loses her son, and pretends to be a nurse. She sees it as her mission to put children in better homes. She also wants to rid the city of immigrants, and the things she does in the name of herself being right are atrocious. There were so many people like her back then, and people against immigration even now. The levels she stoops to was heartbreaking.
There was an incredible amount of research that went into this book. The writing is excellent; it’s heartbreaking but hopeful. The descriptions of the city, the characters, and the orphanage are vivid. We see Pia rise above what Bernice put her through and what the orphanage did to her. This was such a fantastic read that I’m eager to read Wiseman’s other works. Very well done.