When Sylvia sees a baby lying in the road, she should drive past but she stops and picks the child up.
Following a dream that she shared with her husband, Peter, they start a foundling home. Friends and family think that they are mad. Are the poor and destitute not the responsibility of the parish? But they know that most babies and small children die in the ‘care’ of the parish. As more and more children come to them can they find a way to continue to fund the home?
George is her brother and a gambler.
The lives of the charitable sister and ne'er-do-well brother follow very different courses with highs, lows, love and sadness.
Pre-issue review for ORPHAN CHILD by Patricia Tomlin
1.I’d read a few other books by Patricia Tomlin before and I knew she had a great way of writing riveting, emotional and sweeping historical family sagas. So I happily read her latest “Orphan Child” and was even more impressed! I loved how even when it contains ‘familiar’ themes and elements for historical drama, Tomlin writes in a way that makes it feel not only entirely new and fresh, but unlike any other story I’ve read before. Paints such a vivid and stunning portrait of life in the turn of the 17th century, and the characters were all riveting in their own right. I especially enjoyed George for how flawed he was, and how much drama and conflict he brought to the scene, but of course I loved Sylvia and Peter and watching their amazing relationship unfold and develop over the years. Solid supporting cast as well, with great depth. Lots of highs and lows throughout this riveting journey and I even shed a few tears! For me the best part was how ‘creative’ it felt, all while feeling very authentic and true to the era and time. And not at all predictable, thank goodness. Just when you think you know what’s happening, something comes along to throw a wrench in it. I’ve read a ton of historical fiction over the years so I’m rarely surprised by anything anymore but I can say that Ms. Tomlin managed to do it. I appreciated the solid pace and the descriptive details that really brought the story to life – world building is absolutely crucial in selling a ‘historical’ story and it is done quite masterfully here. Recommend for fans of historical fiction who enjoy a well-written, emotionally moving, powerful novel with unexpected twists and riveting characters. (5 stars) Sherrie Warner – Goodreads; Indie Book Reviewers
2.I read a lot of historical fiction books, so this is a genre I’m familiar with and really enjoy. I’d read three books from Patricia Tomlin about a year ago and really liked all of them, so I was definitely excited to read this one. I have to say that Ms. Tomlin is unarguably a very talented writer, but more than that she genuinely impressed me with her thorough world-building of this 17th/ 18th century English/European world and with the characters and their interactions, from descriptions, to conversations to actions. All too often I read works that feel clearly derivative of other books, or like I’m reading a re-telling of familiar plotlines recycled over and over… and although I appreciate literary influences I really love how Tomlin’s literary voice and style is very distinctive and unique from many others I’ve read… I really chalk it up to the depth of each of the characters across the board, from Peter, Sylvia, George, and all the rest of the dynamic figures who shape the storyline. For such a long book I finished it in less than 4 nights (very fast for me), and went through so many highs and lows, it felt like a rollercoaster. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all wrap up, and even though there are some shocking and sad (yet not entirely unexpected) moments, I really loved how it all came together in the end, and when I was done I almost felt like I’d lost a good friend (or lots of them). But I loved the ending and loved this book! Can’t wait to read more from Pat Tomlin.
Following a dream that she shared with her husband, Peter, they start a foundling home. Friends and family think that they are mad. Are the poor and destitute not the responsibility of the parish? But they know that most babies and small children die in the ‘care’ of the parish. As more and more children come to them can they find a way to continue to fund the home?
George is her brother and a gambler.
The lives of the charitable sister and ne'er-do-well brother follow very different courses with highs, lows, love and sadness.
Pre-issue review for ORPHAN CHILD by Patricia Tomlin
1.I’d read a few other books by Patricia Tomlin before and I knew she had a great way of writing riveting, emotional and sweeping historical family sagas. So I happily read her latest “Orphan Child” and was even more impressed! I loved how even when it contains ‘familiar’ themes and elements for historical drama, Tomlin writes in a way that makes it feel not only entirely new and fresh, but unlike any other story I’ve read before. Paints such a vivid and stunning portrait of life in the turn of the 17th century, and the characters were all riveting in their own right. I especially enjoyed George for how flawed he was, and how much drama and conflict he brought to the scene, but of course I loved Sylvia and Peter and watching their amazing relationship unfold and develop over the years. Solid supporting cast as well, with great depth. Lots of highs and lows throughout this riveting journey and I even shed a few tears! For me the best part was how ‘creative’ it felt, all while feeling very authentic and true to the era and time. And not at all predictable, thank goodness. Just when you think you know what’s happening, something comes along to throw a wrench in it. I’ve read a ton of historical fiction over the years so I’m rarely surprised by anything anymore but I can say that Ms. Tomlin managed to do it. I appreciated the solid pace and the descriptive details that really brought the story to life – world building is absolutely crucial in selling a ‘historical’ story and it is done quite masterfully here. Recommend for fans of historical fiction who enjoy a well-written, emotionally moving, powerful novel with unexpected twists and riveting characters. (5 stars) Sherrie Warner – Goodreads; Indie Book Reviewers
2.I read a lot of historical fiction books, so this is a genre I’m familiar with and really enjoy. I’d read three books from Patricia Tomlin about a year ago and really liked all of them, so I was definitely excited to read this one. I have to say that Ms. Tomlin is unarguably a very talented writer, but more than that she genuinely impressed me with her thorough world-building of this 17th/ 18th century English/European world and with the characters and their interactions, from descriptions, to conversations to actions. All too often I read works that feel clearly derivative of other books, or like I’m reading a re-telling of familiar plotlines recycled over and over… and although I appreciate literary influences I really love how Tomlin’s literary voice and style is very distinctive and unique from many others I’ve read… I really chalk it up to the depth of each of the characters across the board, from Peter, Sylvia, George, and all the rest of the dynamic figures who shape the storyline. For such a long book I finished it in less than 4 nights (very fast for me), and went through so many highs and lows, it felt like a rollercoaster. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all wrap up, and even though there are some shocking and sad (yet not entirely unexpected) moments, I really loved how it all came together in the end, and when I was done I almost felt like I’d lost a good friend (or lots of them). But I loved the ending and loved this book! Can’t wait to read more from Pat Tomlin.
