Look for Pam Jenoff’s new novel, The Woman with the Blue Star, an unforgettable story of courage and friendship during wartime.A New York Times bestseller!“Readers who enjoyed Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants will embrace this novel. “ —Library Journal“Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…. I read this novel in a headlong rush.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New … Journal
“Secrets, lies, treachery, and passion…. I read this novel in a headlong rush.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train
A powerful novel of friendship set in a traveling circus during World War II, The Orphan’s Tale introduces two extraordinary women and their harrowing stories of sacrifice and survival.
Sixteen-year-old Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and being forced to give up her baby. She lives above a small rail station, which she cleans in order to earn her keep… When Noa discovers a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, she is reminded of the child that was taken from her. And in a moment that will change the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.
Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she must learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in undetected, spurning the resentment of the lead aerialist, Astrid. At first rivals, Noa and Astrid soon forge a powerful bond. But as the facade that protects them proves increasingly tenuous, Noa and Astrid must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another—or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything.
Don’t Miss Pam Jenoff’s new novel, The Woman with the Blue Star, a riveting tale of unfathomable sacrifice and unlikely friendship during World War II.
Read these other sweeping epics from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff.
The Lost Girls of Paris
The Ambassador’s Daughter
The Diplomat’s Wife
The Kommandant’s Girl
The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach
The Winter Guest
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Amazingly good
There are so many tales of unique bravery and courage during World War II. Tales such as this one based on little known people and events during the war are so interesting and heart wrenching and amazing at the same time. This story focuses on and blends two tales into one: the German circus that hid Jews in its ranks and a boxcar filled with babies taken from their families and being sent to Auschwitz.
The author tells the story in alternating chapters from the points of view of the two main characters- Astrid, a Jewish aerialist and Noa, a Danish unwed mother banished by her family. The author does a good job of weaving the story with intertwining events throughout. I liked the portrayal of love, hope, friendship, and sacrifice permeating the story.
I liked this book, but I didn’t give it 5 stars because there were a few times that the storyline was a little hard to follow but not enough to hinder the story. If you enjoy World War II historical fiction, then definitely get this book to read!
Wonderful ending
The story revolves around people who are thrown together in a Circus because of the tragedy of The Holocaust. Extremely moving and thought provoking!!!!!
Very interesting that the circus hid Jewish people during WWII
Totaliy different look at Europe at the time of the Nazi regime
I’m sorry, but I thought this book was poorly written. The story was predictable, full of discrepancy (why would Noah go back to Luke after what he did?!), and such a cheesy ending. I’m disappointed.
I loved this book. It was hard to put it down, sad, as all stories like this are. Two strong female characters, in a nightmare time. The writing was good, and the ending I did not expect!
A haunting historical fiction about Europe during WWII from the perspective of the circus. Their hardships really show the difficulties of the time. The title is a little misleading though I understood the whole book reference.
I like books that are based on reality – This had circus life during the tragic period in history. well developed and interesting characters.
Read on the recommendation of a friend. While the book was interesting, I probably would not have picked it up on my own.
Sometimes he main character was unlikeable and sometimes totally easy to sympathize with. That made for original interesting reading.
Not just another book about the holocaust. The circus twist made the book more enjoyable.
It was good, but not as amazing as some other reviews would have had me believe.
Couldn’t put it down
Didn’t know about this history during WWII.
It is a well-wrttten story about a German circus during WWII that hides people who need protection. I learned about a side of humanity during that period that I had never before thought about.
excellent book! Could not put it down!
Enjoyed the book partly because of the references to the Midwest. The story starts with an 8 year old boy who works with his aunt running a business, then crosses the frontier & we watch him grow up & become a responsible human being.
Immediately purchased another of her books. Not comfortable reading but I believe very important.