Summary:
Molly is a current day foster child struggling to survive the tumultous journeys from one foster home and town to the next one. Vivian is an elderly lady living alone with only her memories to keep her company in a giant old home across town. These two women forge an unlikely friendship which will bring answers and ultimately the healing they both desire.
Comments:
The orphan train transported a reported 200,000 children from the East Coast to the Midwest between 1854 and 1929. This part of our American history was unknown to a few of our readers. The reality of this heartbreaking time provided for an interesting storyline. The author wove into the storyline the lesson of portaging, especially in relation to the Wabanakis Indians, a part of Molly's heritage. The act of traveling light and leaving some things behind was well understood by the orphans, Vivian and Molly. "Nothing encumbered movement more than fear, which was often the most difficult burden to surrender." (p. 5 - Kindle)
Vivian was one of those orphans transported from New York City to Minnesota. Her story was not a happy one, but she managed to rise above the tragedies of her youth. Despite her outward successes in her life, even in her nineties Vivian was still haunted by those loved ones whom she had lost.
Molly was the modern day version of Vivian - an orphan shuttled from home to home who loved to read and buried her pain in order to survive in the harsh reality of her world. The tough exterior marked by Goth makeup hid the vulnerable and hurting child inside her. Molly was fascinated by Vivian's story and felt a connection to her which inspired her to seek the truth in both Vivian's and her own life. "You can't find peace until you find all the pieces. She wants to help Vivian find some kind of peace, elusive and fleeting as it may be." (p. 177 - Kindle)
Brenda noted a disturbing trend in this novel: the majority of the female minor characters were portrayed as mean-spirited and vindictive. Conversely, their male counterparts were portrayed as weak, passive men who merely helplessly shrugged as they witnessed first-hand the cruel words and actions those women displayed towards Vivian and Molly.
When we completed our discussion time together we all readily accepted Marcia's invitation to tour the old Burleson Mansion there in town where her husband was working (thanks again, Marcia!!) In a twist of fate, a lady who was there at the time perusing some of the antiques and collectables to purchase, heard what book we had just finished discussing, and she shared with us the story of her own father and his siblings who had been orphan riders on the train. Fascinating story which added another rich layer of truth to this period of time in America. And as a side note, if you have a little bit of cash stashed under your mattress, you might want to consider purchasing this beautiful home since it's on the market!
Memorable Quotes:
"...the people who matter in our lives stay with us, haunting our most ordinary moments. They're with us in the grocery store, as we turn a corner, chat with a friend. They rise up through the pavement; we absorb them through our soles." (p. 176 - Kindle)
"Time constricts and flattens, you know. It's not evenly weighted. Certain moments linger in the mind and others disappear." (p. 176 - Kindle)
FAB Rating: **** (4 out of 5 stars)
Although the story was a bit predictable, overall it still provided a compelling read. Some of us had trouble connecting with the two main characters, although we agreed that Molly's character was true to life for a lot of young women.
