Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

"I believe in ghosts. They're the ones who haunt us, the ones who have left us behind. Many times in my life I have felt them around me, observing, witnessing, when no one in the living world knew or cared what happened....I've come to think that's what heaven is---a place in the memory of others where our best selves live on."
                       -Vivian, from the prologue of the novel

When a couple of friends recommended Orphan Train I decided it would be our October book club selection. In teaching 5th grade (and American history) I had read a few of Joan Lowery Nixon's Orphan Train Adventures series so I was familiar with the topic and found it intriguing. I love historical fiction and this was a good one. I am rating it a 4; not quite a page-turner but an excellent read, nonetheless.

Similar to The Healing, our group's September book, Orphan Train contains a story within a story. The settings are Spruce Harbor, Maine, 2011, and New York to Minnesota, 1929-1939. The two stories intersect as Molly, a foster youth in trouble with the law does community service with Vivian, an elderly orphan train rider. Molly is supposed to help Vivian clean out her attic and in the process they learn not only what they have in common but how they can help each other. As they work together, Vivian relives much of her past by sharing experiences with Molly. Molly gains maturity as she learns she is not the only young person to have trials to overcome. In the end their relationship is mutually beneficial as Molly finally feels loved and is able to help Vivian to realize a dream---quite a poignant ending.

My favorite minor character was Ms. Larsen, the teacher in Vivian's past. She was so kind to a child badly in need of TLC. I can only hope I was like her in the eyes of many of my former students.

Below is a claddagh ring, similar to the necklace worn by Niamh/Dorothy/Vivian throughout the story. It symbolizes love (heart), loyalty (crown) and friendship (hands).


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Our Page Turners group met on the regular day, a smaller group this time. Our group rating for Orphan Train was 3.9 with almost everyone voting a 4. We could pretty much agree that we hold onto things for far too long, as Vivian had, but the reorganizing of the boxes was an interesting way for her to share her past with Molly. Some members thought the main characters were unrealistically optimistic in light of their situations. The alternating of past with present, we felt, was refreshing and kept us engaged. Our discussion was lively and at one point turned to foster children and adoption. Surprisingly it turned out 4 of the 10 of us have adopted children! Good book, great meeting, as always!

Tibetan Peach Pie by Tom Robbins

" 'Be careful what goes into your mouth and what comes out of it.'  The advice [from the I Ching] was so good--so simple, wise, and encompassing--that I've never felt the need to consult the I Ching again. It was quite likely the best advice I've ever received. I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if I'd actually followed it."
                                                     -Tom Robbins, from Tibetan Peach Pie

My husband describes some of the books I read as "chick lit." What do you call one more suited to guys? This seemed to be one of those, although I did enjoy most of it and found myself giggling pretty often, even laughing out loud at times. Tibetan Peach Pie is a memoir/biography/personal narrative with the subtitle A True Account of an Imaginative Life might be an understatement. Ricky Martin's song "Living la Vida Loca" might be very appropriate. It was actually hard to believe one man lived so many unusual, exciting, even dangerous, life episodes---until he confesses he is now in his eighties!

Apparently Mr. Robbins is a prolific writer of considerable note, although I had never come across his work before. I saw a review of this book in the newspaper which piqued my curiosity. The author uses something of a stream of consciousness style to recount his amazing life from his childhood, when he knew he had a passion for words at age 5, to the writing of this book, his latest endeavor. He relates fascinating and amusing stories about his school days, moves, travels, his career as an art critic and journalist, his process of becoming a novelist AND a series of girlfriends and/or wives. A few highlights were his experiences with cannibals, hippos and elephants. Even descriptions of plane trips and book signings were entertaining.

As a wannabe wordsmith myself I was so impressed with the writing. This man surely knows how to turn a phrase! Robbins has a voluminous vocabulary and great felicity of expression. As I hinted at the beginning I would recommend this book to the guys in my circle of friends more than the gals. Such things as the 5th grade "peeing contest," the mention of "penis envy" and numerous notations about female anatomy helped form that opinion. Fortunately he used only a smattering of obscenities, usually in quoting someone else, and any sexual encounters were suggestive, not graphic. Robbins writes that his novel Even Cowgirls Get the Blues is his best-known book and has been highly acclaimed by women. Perhaps I'll read it one of these days.

I am still curious about the significance of the title. I also wondered about his self-given nickname, Tommy Rotten. Could it have come partly from the expression tommyrot or just a derivative of his first name with an adjective sounding similar to his last?

If you are looking for some light reading with lots of laughs, by all means give this one a go! My rating is a 4.