Book Review: The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”

Ellen Marie Wiseman, The Orphan Collector

Review:

I had high hopes for this one and it’s partly on me for being let down. I haven’t tolerated any sort of pandemic fiction (or nonfiction) well since 2020, however, my main issues with the book lay elsewhere. 

This Spanish Flu of 1918 hits Philadelphia. Young Pia is left to fend for herself as well as her younger brothers. A series of events lands her in an orphan asylum and separated from her brothers, who have since disappeared. She winds up working with the sick and other children, all the while trying to locate her family.

I might have had more tolerance for this story if the nuns at St. Vincent’s weren’t stereotypical tormentors. While I can agree these institutions were far more strict at this time in history, there are some things that have not changed such as the general teachings of Catholicism which were falsely represented here. This was a major distraction for me. Aside from this, the story itself was so-so for me. It felt more slow-paced than it needed to me. I didn’t find the mystery all too intriguing, either. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• It was a different era/setting than I usually read which was refreshing.

What I didn’t like:

• Misrepresentation of Catholics.
• Bernice was pretty ridiculous for this time and place, however, take this with a grain of salt as I’m not well-versed in this era. It just felt more like a Nazi/WWII thing.
• Bland and/or stereotypical characters.

Afterthoughts:

Two of my friends chose this book to kick off my summer reading. I’m super sad I didn’t enjoy it.

Where to buy the book: