Questions About The Orphan Keeper

by Camron Wright (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Orphan Keeper, please sign up.

Answered Questions (6)

How does this compare to the story in the movie The Lion?

Camron Wright Here's a post I wrote to address the question. I hope it helps:

With the release of the movie The Lion, I keep getting asked if the movie is based on m…moreHere's a post I wrote to address the question. I hope it helps:

With the release of the movie The Lion, I keep getting asked if the movie is based on my book, The Orphan Keeper. I imagine it’s how Stephen Baldwin must feel when he’s repeatedly asked if he’s related to Alec.

The answer, of course, is no (in my case, not in Stephen’s). The Lion is based on the account of Saroo Brierley, a boy who was separated from his family in India at a young age, adopted by a new family in Australia, and then, when older, returned to India to search for his birth family.

The Orphan Keeper is the story of Taj Rowland, a boy who was kidnapped as a child in India, sold to a Christian orphanage, and then adopted by a couple in the United States. Though both men miraculously make their way back to India in search of their loved ones, there are also differences in their respective journeys. While Saroo used Google Earth to ultimately find his family, Taj’s search was pre-internet making it inherently more difficult.

However, it’s not what separates their stories that is intriguing (kidnapping vs. wandering off), but their similarities. Each demonstrates the power of the human spirit to never give up. Each felt driven to understand how he fit into the world. Each needed to know if he was loved.

I say that I find the similarities intriguing because it’s also my story, your story—everyone’s story. We are all on a journey. We all hope to fit in. We all pray that our lives will make a difference. We all long to be loved.

To that end, I’d recommend you see The Lion. I also recommend you read The Orphan Keeper. Then, when the credits roll, and you close the last page of the book, the obvious lessons will ring true: Everyone’s stories are different. Everyone’s stories are the same. Everyone absolutely matters.

Like both Saroo and Taj, with a little help, a lot of work, and abounding encouragement, may we all find our way home!(less)

flag

What age level is this appropriate for? Is it something I could read with my 10 year old daughter (reads at high-school level, so content is the issue)? Thanks.

Camron Wright Good question. In my opinion there isn’t anything that will be a problem (three or four hells and damns), but what isn’t offensive to me, may be to an…moreGood question. In my opinion there isn’t anything that will be a problem (three or four hells and damns), but what isn’t offensive to me, may be to another. Best advice I can offer, if you have the time, give it a quick read to be certain you agree. That said, a recent newspaper reviewer noted, “The Orphan Keeper … doesn't contain any sexual content or objectionable language, but does include two briefly described instances of child abuse.” The instances of child abuse she mentions are mild, yet critical for the story plot, and until she listed them, they wouldn’t have crossed my mind as possibly being offensive or even worth bringing up. But again, we all see the world differently. You do get a gold star on your forehead, however, for being a good parent and asking the question. Way to go for that!

As an update, for what it's worth, The Orphan Keeper was just selected as a Featured Read by the Children's Book Council in their Seasonal Showcase. Their suggested reading age for the book is listed as 14 and up. http://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc_book/the-...(less)

flag

loved this book but have to wonder how the beginning of the book was filled with details of his early life but he doesn't remember any of it? Does the author just kinda makeup which he thinks happened with the small details he eventually remembers?

Dscotthep Yes. This is why the book is being called "A novel based on a true story".…moreYes. This is why the book is being called "A novel based on a true story".(less)

flag

Just watched a short documentary on Taj's story which got me to read the book. In the nonfiction version, being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) plays a significant part of his life; in fact his time in London was as a missionary not a university student. Wondering why the author is reluctant to bring some of that out, even to shying away from mentioning that he lived in Utah?

Kathleen Hi Jeannie, here are my thoughts on this. I think the author specifically kept the book nondenominational to inspire a greater audience. As a member o…moreHi Jeannie, here are my thoughts on this. I think the author specifically kept the book nondenominational to inspire a greater audience. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints myself it was joyful to watch the documentary, to hear more about Taj Roland's life. To see Taj's beautiful wife Priya, his adoptive parents, birth family and the orphanage location in India. I love so much about this book and Taj's Miraculous Story. I especially found the landowner, Mrs. Iyer and her great compassion she shared with Taj's birth mother and then his daughters as an indication to me of one of the many messages of Christlike Love that we as Christians believe but people the world over feel and live in their own way. My understanding of Dharma from the book; fulfilling ones Duty, doing Good unto Others, being Virtuous. Very similar to our Christian teachings. I think this is the type of message that Camron Wright wanted to share with people of all Faiths. That is my 2 cents :) (less)

flag

Is it done in audio?