3.5***
I enjoyed reading this book about a travelling German circus hiding Jews during World War II. They lived together and travelled by train.
In Author's Note, Pam Jenoff writes that the story is fictional, but is a tribute to the courage of real people who sheltered the Jews.
Although I was horrified by the boxcar full of babies, it was interesting to watch the growing pains of the relationship between the two females, Noa, the sixteen-year-old Dutch girl with the orphan baby, and Astrid, the Jewish aerialist.
By reading THE ORPHAN'S TALE by Pam Jenoff I learned about circuses and the hard work, dedication and skill that go into circus acts and especially aerial acts. I also learned that German circuses hid Jews during World War II.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin (US and Canada) and author Pan Jenoff for providing me with an ARC of The Orphan's Tale in exchange for an honest review.

I love novels about WW2, I very much dislike anything that has to do with a circus. I just have no interest at all, with that being said, I really enjoyed this book. It's main setting is under the big tent, but Pam Jenoff did such a good job telling this heartbreaking story, that I didn't even mind the circus details. It starts off heartbreaking and ends bittersweet. There are many unknown answers in this story, but that is keeping true to the history of any time of war. If your a WW2 buff, this one isn't about the camps, it's more about people protecting each other and trying to keep on living during a horrific time in our history.

First sentence: The will be looking for me by now.
Last sentence: I let them lead me slowly from the museum, feeling the unseen hands that guide us.

Ah! I just can't seem to get enough of the World War II era. I'm not the only one. That war - its atrocities, its display of humanity in the face of evil, its double standards, its final outcomes - provided a diverse time of history to pull stories from. True stories, fiction stories based on real events, documentaries, etc. Jenoff discovered two real stories at Yad Vashem - the Unknown Children and the rescuers' circus - and weaved together a fictional tale based on those real events.
Noa is a Dutch girl who got pregnant by an SS Officer. Thinking her baby would fit the Aryan mold she gave birth in a girls home under the Reich. Astrid grew up in the family business, the circus. Her Jewish family had a very successful circus and she was a performer in it. In Hitler's early years she met and fell in love with a German officer. They married and lived in Berlin. But then the war started in earnest - both the war against Jews and the war to take over the world. Noa and Astrid are faced with choices - some to make on their own, others made for them - that lead them to each other in the strangest of circumstances and in the oddest of sanctuaries, during a time when nobody or nowhere was very safe and you weren't sure who you could or should trust.
Told in alternating voices, Noa and Astrid's, Jenoff creates a beautiful story of the fight for hope in dark times, the fight for love to not just survive but thrive, and what really makes a family. All of Jenoff's books are on my "to read" list but this is the first one I've actually read. The others will not be far behind. Jenoff, with her varied life experiences, creates characters that the reader can immediately know, storylines that touch the heart, and shares history in a way that makes you wanting to know more.

I rather enjoyed this story by Pam Jenoff.It was sad and heartbreaking, but also uplifting at times.

The story is told through the perspectives of Astrid and Noa. Astrid is a Jewish woman hiding out in the circus. She grew up in a circus family and is an aerialist. Noa is a young woman that has rescued a Jewish baby from a train where he was left with many other babies to die. She has nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

The circus owner takes in Noa and wants her to join the trapeze act with Astrid. Astrid does not want Noa to join her act and does not want to train her. Noa also doesn't really want to perform, but has few options and wants to prove herself.

This story builds on the relationship between these two women and the people around them. It was a beautiful, though often sad, story of love, friendship, growth, sacrifice, loss and courage during a terrible time. It was interesting to watch the relationships grow and change. You learn how each person has changed to protect themselves and others.

I loved the end of the book that tied up the loose ends of the story, not in a pretty little bow, but your questions were answered. Excellent story. I would recommend it to others that enjoy WWII stories of hope and perseverance.

4.2 - another heartwrenching tale of WWII perseverance; aspects reminded me of Karolina's Twins, but the circus/trapeze setting was a nice change; recommended

This is historical fiction at its best. The author takes research about real people's lives and turns it into a fictional story. I read this really quickly because the story just flows. You feel compelled to find out what will happen to the characters. The story centers around Noa, a young Dutch girl that is thrown out of her house after she becomes pregnant with a German officer's child, and Astrid, who is a Jewish woman forced to divorce her German officer husband. Both begin the story being betrayed by their loved ones. Noa rescues a baby from a train and is found by a circus where Astrid is also hiding. It seems a bit improbable, but apparently there were circuses sheltering Jews during WWII. I like that they are all fictional characters but that their stories are loosely based on people who did actually exist. I definitely recommend this. It's a great story and it is well written.

While it took me much longer to get into this book than expected, I've come to realize timing is everything and when it was right I read this book in three days, not wanting to put it down.

I can't imagine the thousands of stories that there are to tell of the people who lived during WWII, fleeing Germany, the Nazis. They might be Jews, or not, but they had various reasons for fleeing the unbelievable acts of the Reich. The story that Pam Jenoff weaves is based on facts of the time. Pulled together into one amazing tale, these women, Noa and Astrid will not soon leave my heart. Sweet and young Noa, outcast by her family for a moment of love with a German soldier, her pregnancy a shame for them. The discovery of the abandoned boxcar of Jewish babies is unimaginable. That Noa attempted to take even one child is beyond brave.

Astrid is an aerialist, a circus performer by birth, she is also Jewish. Her family's once thriving circus was halted by the Nazis and they are now missing. The nearby circus takes her in, hiding her in plain sight really. She performs and trains others in her art.

These women, and the infant Theo become a force, bound by a sense of survival, this novel tells the story of the growth of their friendship and love.

The words just flow in this book, I could envision the train that took them from their winter home in Germany to a small town in France, the cramped quarters, the living conditions barely inhabitable. Food scarce, like most of Europe during the war. The sights of Astrid flying through the air, and young Noa learning the flying trapeze. This is not really a story of circus, but those elements are a visual part that is so integral to the story.

Thank you to MIRA and Emer Flounders for the opportunity to read this book. I met Pam Jenoff during her book tour, and while she had lost her voice she was able to talk to me about her former work in Poland. Her own work experience has given her so much to draw on in the books she writes. I highly recommend THE ORPHAN'S TALE. I loved it so very much.

An emotional, heartfelt, and poignant novel. I enjoyed this WWII story told through the perspective of the traveling circus. Reading about the developing friendship and the sorrow shared by two women aerialist performers from the circus was such a unique story line. I am saddened over the loss of so many lives during this dreadful time in history. This book was so beautifully written and I had a hard time putting it down. I felt like I knew the characters personally and never wanted the story to end. One of my favorite books ever!

Ingrid's family once had a very successful circus until they could no longer perform. As Jews, it was illegal for them to have non Jewish employees and gradually the business fell apart. Ingrid had fallen in love and married a young man, moving to Berlin. Unfortunately he was also a Nazi and though he loved Ingrid, when their marriage was declared illegal, he divorced her. She returned to the family home only to find they were gone. She hadn't heard from them in months and now feared the worst. Thankfully she was given refuge by a neighbor and leader of a rival circus, Herr Neuhoff. Herr Neuhoff offers Ingrid a place with his circus as a trapeze artist and she accepts, knowing she doesn't have much choice. Fortunately he turns out to be a very kind man and though Ingrid (now renamed Astrid for her protection) initially struggles to fit in, she even finds new love. Then they discover a young girl and a baby in the snow...

Noa stumbles across the Neuhoff circus after she rescues a Jewish baby from a train car. Herr Neuhoff takes her in but she has to join the circus act. Noa has gymnastic skills but it has been a long time and training to be an aerialist is a challenge. It doesn't help that Astrid doesn't seem to like her or believe she can do it. Reluctantly Astrid and Noa become friends but danger is always around them with Nazi officials prowling.

The Orphan's Tale is reminiscent of Water for Elephants in that it is about circus life. What makes it different is that it takes place in WWII Europe. It is both an emotional story and a fascinating look at circus life during a difficult time in history. I don't know how realistic it would be for someone like Noa to learn to be an aerialist but it was certainly interesting to read about. On the surface Noa and Astrid seem so different but they both have hidden strength that allows them to survive so much suffering. The danger of discovery by the Nazis is a constant threat and there are also other dangers involved with being part of a circus act. I thought the friendship that developed between Noa and Astrid was natural but the romantic relationship between Noa and Luc didn't work as well. It just seemed rushed. While Astrid and Peter's romance begins off the page, we at least get to see some growth and development there. We get to know Peter but the addition of Luc felt like a convenient plot point.

Overall I thought this book was fantastic. The story was touching and suspenseful and I enjoyed the added historical details as well. I had no idea circuses were operating in Europe during the war. I think readers who liked Water for Elephants or historical fiction set during WWII would like this. It would be a great selection for book discussion groups too.

This book was hearbreaking, but still a very enjoyable read. It's a story of love, friendship, betrayal, loss and survival told from the memories of the survivor. Sometimes we have to revisit the most tragic times in our history in order to appreciate the present and to never forget the sacrifices made by those who are no longer with us. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you Ms. Jenoff for writing this novel. I was in desperate need of a book I could sink my teeth into and one that was hard to put down. This fit the bill. This is now one of my favourite books and one I will recommend when asked.

I love the characters of Noa and Astrid and the story of their friendship. To find a friendship like that would be a gift. They are two very lonely people and they became family. I also love the backdrop of the circus. Although the circus is not something that I attend or has played any role in my life I seem to love stories that revolve around one - and this is no exception. It was the perfect place for their friendship to play out and grow.

I was nervous to hear it took place during WWII but there is very little violence but the war is always present in the story, adding intensity, drama and also helping to reveal the true character of the main and sub-characters.

I highly recommend this book and ask anyone who is even thinking of picking it up - Do! You will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

As I was reading this novel, The Orphan’s Tale, one word kept coming back to me: grace. Because this book, this story, is full of grace in every sense of the word.

It has the “there but for the grace of god” moments, but it also has the kind of grace that allows for sacrifices between friends. And then, when you add in the art and artistry both of a young lover who wants to be a painter, and the circus folk who work on wires and trapezes, you have that other, more physical kind of grace – the one that expands into people being graceful.

This story of Noa and Astrid, two very different women whose lives converge and then separate during one of the bleakest parts of human history – World War II – is more than just a novel. It’s a glimpse at a piece of history we don’t often hear about. We know that people “hid” Jews on farms and in attics, and in the music and theatre worlds, but the circus? Most of the stories that involve the circus have little to do with the political climate.

Exploring such a human story from this point of view made a novel that could, in a less talented writer’s hands, have been another us-against-the-Nazi’s tear-jerker into a story that had added depth and life beyond the actual characters. I learned something new, and was compelled to do my own reading outside the novel because I was fascinated.

(I should add that I’ve been fascinated by the circus since forever, so it’s not surprising that this was the element that truly hooked me.)

Aside from that, though, Jenoff writes with a deft hand. Her characters feel like real people, flawed and beautiful in their simple humanity, and her settings, based on real places, are described in enough detail to make you feel as if you are there, stepping through time to see the horror of a train-car full of nameless, crying babies, or the magic of someone sailing through the air on a trapeze.

Jenoff’s lyrical style only adds to the effect. At times it was like looking through a mirror into a past that isn’t necessarily pretty, but is still vivid.

This novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, but I’d recommend it to almost anyone who just wants to immerse themselves in a truly compelling story.

Goes well with a cappuccino and a bar of dark chocolate, eaten one tiny shard at a time.

I did not finish this book. I read the 1st couple chapters and was having a hard time following the story line and gave up. I see that it has wonderful reviews so maybe it was just me.

THE ORPHAN’S TALE by PAM JENOFF is an emotional, heartwarming, and heartbreaking Historical Fiction novel bringing together a tale about a traveling circus in Europe during World War II and of the friendship and sorrow of two women aerialist performers from the circus.

I found the circus theme to be quite enlightening, fascinating, and interesting as I haven't read too many books about traveling circuses during this time period. We also learn through The Author’s Note that this story was inspired by real people that the author met during her research for this novel and that the circus was a way to hide some Jewish people to help keep them safe during the Holocaust, although it was not a biography it was purely fiction.

PAM JENOFF delivers an intriguing, fascinating, and beautifully written tale here told in dual points of view of our two main characters, Astrid and Noa. This is a tale about friendship, family, survival, bravery, secrets, and the sacrifices that these two characters faced during their time performing at the circus. Through their stories we see their friendship strengthen which ultimately bonds these two women together.

After finishing a novel like this and reading The Author’s Note it always seems to make the book so much better for me as I really like knowing that the book was inspired by real people and events.

Would recommend!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Pam Jenoff, and Harlequin for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

Yes, this another WWII historical fiction, but I can’t help it, it’s one of my favorite genres! This book did not disappoint me. This focuses on two performers in a German circus, Astrid, a Jewish woman and aerialist, and Noa, a 16 year old who’s family disowned her. They form an unlikely bond that will impact them for the rest of their lives. I think this is a beautiful story of friendship and strength. The book is told from each of their viewpoints so you get a special insight into the hurt and struggles they have each endured and what the friendship means to each of them. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. I probably would have given it 5 stars except for my one big hang up, not enough focus on the circus! When I read a circus story one of my favorite things is reading about the circus life and reading the beautiful descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells. Sadly this was a bit lacking in this story.

Naturally this is another book where apparently my rating/opinion doesn't line up with the popular one.

The plot sounds addictive, and it even involved a circus - hard to go wrong with that. As morbid as the subject is, I enjoy reading historical stories focusing on World War II and the horrible time in human history we must never forget and keep (hopefully) learning from. Told through two main points of view, the ambitious story focuses on one woman who lost a child and reclaimed a new one when she runs into a new future, and another woman who is living in the present, hiding from her past, and refusing to think about the future.

The biggest obstacle for me was the writing style. I have little chemistry with it. While I'm one of those readers who actually prefers introspective first person point of view, I'm not a fan when it's a dual first person point of view because it makes little sense to me. Even if the chapters helpfully declare in big font who the viewpoint will be in each chapter, I still tend to forget when wrapped up in the story. Either do first person point of view only, or do third person.

The second writing issue was it was strangely told in first-person point of view present style. Writing is almost always past style. When it's present like this it gets more of a dramatic feel, but that can also make it feel false and too much like reading a book instead of becoming sucked into it. An exception is the very beginning where the story is opening before a character glimpses into the past. First person present style has to be done carefully.

Plot-wise it wasn't bad, especially since I enjoy circus tales, but there were a lot of unrealistic elements. I doubt she would have been able to nab the baby so easily, although it's possible. With how much Peter had to depend on not getting into trouble, I'm stunned he dared his act later. The money suddenly appearing was a little too good to be true. One main character having a hidden talent as a natural of a rare ability in the circus was stretching it. Another character solving a mystery at the end because of a surprise painting...again, very unlikely. One or two I can accept, but add it all together and it's a little too contrived.

On the plus side, it was unique and not a story I've read before. The circus isn't visited nearly enough in fiction, so combining the hostile elements of world war II with hiding in the circus was a good idea.

The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff captured me from the very beginning. The Orphan's Tale follows the life of 2 women, Noa and Astrid. You first meet Noa, a sixteen year old who recently had a child. The child was taken from her and now she finds herself abandoned. She works in a train station for food and a room. One night she saves a Jewish baby for a very difficult situation. Now she is on the run to save the child.


Noa finds her way to the circus owned by a German, Herr Neuhoff. Herr is one of those unsung heroes as he attempts to protect various Jewish individuals within his circus. The circus, though in Hitler's Germany, continued to travel and bring entertainment around the country. The circus brought a sense of escape to the attendees. It is definitely a time in need of entertainment/escape to boost morale of those suffering the effects of war: hunger and poverty.

I found the circus life very interesting. Astrid had been with the circus all her life. She started as a small child as an aerialist. Herr Neuhoff takes her into his circus, knowing she is Jewish. She left her family circus after falling in love and marrying a German SS Officer. The marriage is ended abruptly and Astrid is unable to find her family. Astrid and Noa are never really sure who they can trust in Hitler's Germany, but have a strong bond that is tested numerous times.


I really liked Herr Neuhoff for his attempt to protect the Jewish performers in a very dangerous time. The circus life was very close knit and interesting to read about. I felt the characters were very well developed and I cared a great deal about a number of them. The Orphan's Tale continues at a nice pace and the ending was very satisfying. This is my first time reading a book by Pam Jenoff, but won't be my last.

''The Orphan's Tale' by Pam Jenoff, is an emotive tale and entertaining enough. I did enjoy reading it initially, however at around 35% of the way through I did lose interest and unfortunately didn't feel inclined to finish it. This isn't a reflection of the book or writing style but more to do with me not being a fan of 'holocaust-lite' love stories.

Pam Jenoff is no stranger to fans who do appreciate this genre and judging by the interest and purchases at my bookstore, including some 'hand selling' to customers, it's doing very well. It is a well written and engaging tale about two undeniably brave, resourceful women doing their best to survive in a time of great turmoil and coping with an ever present danger not only to themselves, but to those they care about. Their strengths lie in their resilience and ability to adapt to ever changing circumstances and sometimes being forced to make incredibly difficult choices. Equally 'The Orphan's Tale' is a fascinating and informative peek into the friendships, trust, loyalty and hardships of travelling circus life during this time.

With the backdrop of the Reich during World War II, 'The Orphan's Tale' will not upset readers, or delve too deeply into the horrors of the Holocaust, therefore, I'd definitely recommended it to romantic historical fiction lovers and for book group reads.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of 'The Orphan's Tale' was provided by the Publisher and TLC BOOK TOURS in exchange for an honest unbiased review and to take part in this blog tour.

Noa has been cast out of her parents house at sixteen after becoming pregnant with a Nazi soldier's baby. After the baby is born with a darker complexion than her perfect Aryan features, the baby is taken from her. Noa finds work at a train station where she must watch people come through on their way to concentration camps. One winter's day, a boxcar full of babies comes into the station. Most of them are already gone-except one. Noa risks everything in taking a baby that looks so much like the one taken from her. She escapes into the woods where she is found and taken in by a German circus. Herr Neuhoff's circus is struggling during the war, but still performing. He has already taken in Ingrid-now Astrid- a Jewish circus performer who had been cast out by her Nazi husband. Astrid is a trapeze artist and Herr Neuhoff thinks Noa could learn to perform with her so their act can continue. Astrid and Noa have a rocky start, but Noa has found a safe place for herself and the baby, so she is determined to make things work.


I was immediately drawn in by the idea of the circus during World War II. It seems so contradictory, however, was probably a bright spot for many people during this time. Noa and Astrid are both amazing characters that are bases are real stories from the time. Their stories elicited compassion, friendship, joy, and heartbreak as the two women find their places. As Astrid and Noa grow closer, they find more in their similarities than differences and create their own family. Another part of the book that I enjoyed as much as learning about another facet of World War II was the circus lifestyle. I loved learning about the trapeze and Noa's strength made me want to try it out myself. Also, Peter the clown seeming amazing and I wish that I could see his act today. I do wish that the story would have extended more into baby Theo's life, however the epilogue helps the with that. Overall, an engaging, memorable and heartbreaking story about a different aspect of life during World War II.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.