Orphan Train

About the book

In 1929, an Irish immigrant named Niamh is sent from New York City to the Midwest on an orphan train, a program meant to relocate displaced children to rural homes. Renamed Dorothy and later Vivian, she endures several placements, moving from a crowded garment factory to a harsh boarding house before finding stability. Decades later in Maine, Vivian meets Molly Ayer, a seventeen-year-old in foster care who is performing community service by cleaning Vivian's attic. As they sort through old trunks, the two women recognize shared experiences of displacement and loss.

Readers of historical fiction and stories about the American experience find value in this account of a forgotten historical social program. It appeals to those looking for a narrative that connects the struggles of early twentieth-century immigration with modern foster care challenges. The audience gains a specific understanding of how the orphan train system operated and how personal history is preserved through physical artifacts. It yields a clear view of how trauma is carried through different stages of life.

Details

Published

2013

Language

EN