'Orphan Train' makes a splash in 2014
Is Christina Baker Kline鈥檚 novel 鈥淥rphan Train鈥� the unexpected hit of 2014?聽
鈥淥rphan Train,鈥� which is the fifth book by Kline, follows a contemporary teenager named Molly who gets to know elderly Vivian Daly, who once upon a time traveled from New York to Minnesota as part of the plan that sent orphans to live with families in the Midwest. The book was published in April 2013. It hit the IndieBound trade paperback list during the week of Dec. 8 and has appeared almost every week since. (鈥淥rphan Train鈥� was released in paperback only). Meanwhile, the book also occupies the number two spot on the trade paperback bestseller list for the week of July 20.听
Kline told USA Today her previous books had performed modestly 鈥� she remembered her publisher, HarperCollins, mentioned a possible bonus if her book reached sales of 55,000 copies and her agent said, 鈥淲e can dream.鈥� Now 鈥淥rphan Train鈥� has sold more than 1.1 million copies in both paper and digital form, according to .听
What makes this book special? The author says that 鈥淚 think a lot of readers are looking for a book they can talk about.鈥� 鈥淥rphan Train鈥� has been popular with book clubs, which, as noted by USA Today writer Bob Minzesheimer, are often drawn to paperbacks.
鈥淥rphan Train鈥� also received some praise upon its release. called the book 鈥渄ramatic [and] emotional鈥�. Kline does a superb job in connecting goth-girl Molly 鈥� to Vivian鈥�. The realistic narrative follows characters as they change and grow.鈥� Meanwhile, writer Christine Perkins of Bellingham Public Library in Washington State wrote that the book is 鈥渁 compelling story about loss, adaptability, and courage鈥�. With compassion and delicacy Kline presents a little-known chapter of American history鈥�. Her accessible, interesting novel will appeal to readers who enjoy the work of Sara Donati.鈥澛�
