The Orphan Collector: A Heroic Novel of Survival During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

This is the latest historical novel from one of my favorite authors, and it’s both deeply compelling and disturbing. Set in Philadelphia during the influenza pandemic of 1918-19, it’s the story of a sensitive, 13-year old German immigrant named Pia Lange, who helps her mother care for her infant twin brothers while their father is away fighting in World War I. It’s about the poverty that was so common among immigrants, about the prejudice they encountered, about the overcrowded and crime-ridden neighborhoods where they could barely afford to live. It’s also about the tragic figure of one of Pia’s neighbor, Bernice and how both the war and epidemic impact her life and change her forever. How their two stories intersect is the foundation of this novel. And I suspect will make you glad you did not live through this period. This is NOT an easy book to read. In fact, it’s quite bleak! Although I found myself caring deeply for the characters, I often found after reading just a few chapters, I then had to take a break from my own emotions. Learning about the devastating impact of the flu on families, the speed with which it spread, the primitive treatment options, and the overwhelming demand on a limited health care system make for sobering reading. Children who lose their parents too often wind up in orphanages where rules are strict and punishments are harsh. Teens are sometimes forced to become unpaid servants. Kindness and help can be difficult to find. At the same time, the book is a well-researched, page-turner— full of drama, plot twists, and a deep and growing need to know what happens next. Though not necessarily enjoyable at every moment, I strongly recommend it.

No Stars This book is so full of stereotypical claptrap! This book was advertised to be about surviving the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. And it does use that as the background for depicting certain people as the most despicable stereotypes possible. All of the nuns at the orphanage were heartless disciplinarians who did not care for the children at all. It was like an orphanage out of a Charles Dickens book. And the evil woman who was kidnapping children and selling them was spouting the most bigoted slop that I have ever read. Was this book true to the age? I doubt it. My grandfather was placed in an orphanage at age 3 and was adopted out at age 7 to a farm family where he was treated like poor help. That occurred 20 years prior to this book, he was never beaten and was fed decently. Being of German heritage, I know all of my family's stories of anti-German bigotry and this book blows it all out of proportion. To say that I was disappointed in this book would be a massive understatement. I nearly set it aside several times while reading the anti-immigrant tripe that the liberals always paint the conservatives as saying. I do not recommend this book.

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman is Historical Fiction about the Spanish Flu and World War I that took place over a hundred years ago. Realistic descriptions of sounds, sights and smells of a plague with cries to bring out your dead to be picked up by collectors. All of these deaths at the same time as World War I, another tragedy of death that impacted so many. People take advantage of others in unexpected ways especially the weak and orphans. Evil and greed abound with an ease that seems unimaginable. I did not want this book to end because the history, woven into the character’s stories, seemed very real. I especially enjoyed the historical information, research notes and suggested reading. What a pleasure to be an early reader of this newest historical fiction by Ellen Marie Wiseman. Don’t miss any of her books if you love historical fiction. I highly recommend every book she has written. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars