THE ORPHAN’S TALE is a bittersweet story set in World War II about new beginnings, friendships, dreams, and the fight for survival while traveling with a touring circus. Noe is 16 when she becomes pregnant by a Nazi soldier and in disgrace is kicked out of her home by her parents. Alone, the only job she can find is cleaning at a small railway station, for which she is paid a small room and food. When her baby is born, she is forced to give it up for adoption.

One night Noe sees a parked train scheduled to leave for a concentration camp. |When she looks inside one of the boxcars, she sees babies, lots of babies. One of them has dark eyes, which reminds her of the baby she had to give up. She picks it up, hiding it under her coat and takes it to her room. She discovers it is a boy, he is Jewish, and she calls him Theo.

Noe leaves with the child and heads into the woods. It is so cold, and Noe collapses in the snow. She is found and saved by Peter, a clown in the circus. The owner of the German circus, Herr Neuhoff, has a heart of gold, and when he listens to Noe tell about her brother, Theo, and her pursuits, he invites her to join his circus. He needs an aerialist and thinks she could be trained by his star, Astrid.

Astrid wants no part of that but has no choice. She is hiding secrets, and so is Noe. When Noe gets over her initial fear of the trapeze, she is a remarkable learner with talent mid-air, and she joins the Big Top. The circus family is close, and Peter and Astrid are beginning a relationship. Astrid was married to a German officer who divorced her because she is Jewish. Germans do not recognize mixed marriages.

Peter was married and lost both his wife and his child. Peter works hard at his clown performances but puts politics into his act, which is unacceptable to Herr Neuhoff and to many German troops who attend the circus performances. He warns Peter to no avail, and Peter should have listened.

Noe meets Luc, the Mayor’s son, and love blossoms. So many colorful characters in this exciting adventure where the human spirit defies hate and fear, bringing love and hope. Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and Pam Jenoff knows how to tell a story that keeps you glued to the pages to the soaring finale. Great experience and such a rewarding read. Thank you, Ms. Jenoff.