Whose story line did you like best and why?

Discuss the July 2016 Book of the Month, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.

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Lovely_Loreley
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Re: Whose story line did you like best and why?

Post by Lovely_Loreley »

bookowlie wrote:I think this book would make a great movie or TV mini-series. However, I think it would be too busy if the movie had Molly's home life in detail. It would be better if she was just a girl that helped Vivian, so there could be a way to have flashbacks to Vivian's childhood.
I completely agree! While I did appreciate both story lines, I was definitely more drawn to Vivian's (but then, I am a huge fan of historical fiction to begin with...). I think a movie/mini-series would be cool, especially if Molly was initially pegged as more of a volunteer/helper and then we learned just a bit about her situation as Vivian's story unfolded, more as a comparison to Vivian's experiences than any true focus on Molly's life. That way we'd have more sympathy for Molly without getting bogged down in her home life, and Vivian could be the main focus.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

Before I mentioned that I liked Vivian's storyline better, which is still the case. However, I will say that I wasn't a fan of how rushed it all felt towards the end of her younger years. Maybe it was meant to be that way, but I would've liked it to be slowed down a bit.
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Post by Kia »

I agree that I enjoyed Niamh's (as I will always refer to her) story the best. I did like how Molly's story managed to connect the Orphan Train to today and make people realize that just because we aren't shipping children on a train out west anymore there are still many of the same problems associated with the foster care system.
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Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

hsimone wrote:Before I mentioned that I liked Vivian's storyline better, which is still the case. However, I will say that I wasn't a fan of how rushed it all felt towards the end of her younger years. Maybe it was meant to be that way, but I would've liked it to be slowed down a bit.
Her younger years were a bit rushed. I also found the ending a bit rushed and abrupt. I felt like it needed just a little more at the end, when Vivian met her daughter.
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Post by Lauren M »

I really enjoyed both storylines, even though Molly's was shorter. I agree with Laura19804 as well, it made Vivian's story much sharper.
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Post by MarisaRose »

I agree with the original post. Molly's story fell flat for me at times and didn't hold my interest. On the other hand, Vivian's story was filled with emotion and I could really picture the struggles she endured.
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Post by Ellie Gatillo »

I just finished reading the book and I really liked Vivian's story. It was so heart-wrenching. I had to keep reading the whole night because I wanted to know what happened next. Her story was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I think Molly's story was more of a side story. She's a strong character, but Vivian is stronger in so many ways.
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Post by Wasif Ahmed »

I enjoyed Vivian's storyline the most.
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Post by godreaujea »

I liked Vivian's story more for a couple of reasons. The main reason why I liked it better was because there was so much more drama and raw emotion in Vivian's story than Molly's. Also, I like the historical fiction aspect it gave to the story.
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Post by JCatSmit16 »

I definitely preferred Vivian's story line, and felt there was much more depth to the plot with her. But to be honest I had trouble relating to both most of the time.

Vivian's story was compelling and dramatic, but as a character she wasn't very personable - maybe she just has a level of grace and composure I can't measure up to, but it seemed like no matter what happened, beautiful or devastating, she always kept the same pace...

Did anyone else find her composure hard to relate to?
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Post by Insightsintobooks »

I agree that Vivian's was more vivid and I liked it more, but I also liked Molly's storyline as well.
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Post by dbulkley »

Molly was easily more relatable to me.
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Post by steigerd »

Vivian's life was the story, and Molly was shallow in comparison. My favorite character was Dutchy; he had guts
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