The Orphan House, Ann Bennett
Diane-Lyn’s Synopsis:
1934: Connie Burroughs lives in Cedar Hall, an English orphanage run by her powerful, wealthy and well-respected father – Reverend Ezra Burroughs. The large dwelling is home to the Burroughs family, countless young orphans, and a plethora of dark secrets. When a mysterious baby arrives at the doorstep, an infant somehow familiar to Connie, she begins to realize that nothing is how it seems and nothing will ever be right.
Present Day: Sarah Jennings is in the middle of a painful divorce. She leaves town and moves in with her father to escape the difficult situation. Decades earlier, her father had been an orphan at Cedar Hall, and spent years trying, unsuccessfully, to find his biological roots. Sarah decides to help him, but when her father is diagnosed with a terrible illness, it becomes a race against time. The orphanage has long since closed. Connie, now elderly, is the only Burroughs family member who is still alive. Memories of her domineering father and the mysteriousness of Cedar Hall continue to haunt her to this day. She lives in fear that long buried family secrets will be exposed.
And then, there’s the diary…..
Diane-Lyn’s Review:
The Orphan House is a deeply emotional, riveting page turner. Author Ann Bennett drew inspiration for the book from her great-grandfather’s experience as a school superintendent for pauper children. She used her knowledge and family background to create a remarkable work of historical fiction. It is told from the alternating points of view of the three central characters – Connie, Sarah, and Anna. Bennett’s presentation of each was rich, detailed and intimate. I was so saddened by Anna’s story and the impact it had on so many lives for years to come. Connie’s father, Ezra, was a cruel, domineering narcissist who used his powerful position to gain control and wealth; all while hiding behind his religion. It was the 1930’s, a time when women had few choices. Wives obeyed their husbands. Secrets remained secrets. The shame and scrutiny of bearing a child out of wedlock was debilitating. And nothing was ever questioned. Ever. Ezra’s secrets and intimidation framed Connie’s childhood and kept her scared and silent even decades later. The Orphan House takes us through decades of lies upon lies, leading to complex mysteries, and explosive surprises. The story alternates between the past and the present, weaving through Connie’s tense upbringing in Cedar Hall, Anna’s unforgiving village in India, and the modern day chaos of Sarah’s life in England. Despite multiple eras and settings, the story read easily and flowed smoothly. I was completely absorbed in all of it from start to finish. This is an extremely captivating, heart-wrenching, yet hopeful novel. The Orphan House left me staggering long after I finished. If you enjoyed Before We Were Yours, and Orphan Train, you will love The Orphan House. Bravo!
To Purchase:
If you would like to purchase The Orphan House by Ann Bennett, click this link: Amazon. This is an affiliate link, which only means that when you click the link and make a purchase, I receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. Happy reading!
