Vivian's Choice: An Expanded Scene from Orphan Train: A Heartfelt Historical Novel Spanning Generations and Friendship

by Christina Baker Kline

Since the publication of her smash international bestseller Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline has met with countless readers and book clubs and is often asked the same question about a key decision one of her protagonists makes in Orphan Train. Christina has longed to write a scene in which she clarifies Vivian’s motivations. Now, in this newly released scene and within the book itself, she gives her readers new insights into Vivian’s thoughts and feelings behind that fateful decision.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks

29 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2016

About the author

A #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, the Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, Poets & Writers, and Salon.

Born in England and raised in the American South and Maine, Kline is a graduate of Yale (B.A.), Cambridge (M.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.F.A.), where she was a Hoyns Fellow in Fiction Writing. A resident of New York City and Southwest Harbor, Maine, she serves on the advisory boards of the Center for Fiction (NY), the Jesup Library (Bar Harbor, ME), the Montclair Literary Festival (NJ), the Kauai Writers Festival (HI), and Roots & Wings (NJ), and on the gala committees of Poets & Writers (NY), The Authors Guild (NY) and Friends of Acadia (ME). She is an Artist-Mentor for StudioDuke at Duke University and the BookEnds program at Stony Brook University.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never questioned Vivian's choice in The Orphan Train, so this expanded scene seemed unnecessary. I'm not sure how I feel about an author's thinking she needs to go back and add to a scene in response to readers' questions.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad the author added this extra piece of information to clarify an important decision that Vivian made. Yes, I felt it made perfect sense.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an expanded scene from Orphan Train to explain the character's reason for what she did.

[Genna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good

There was a level of strained sentimentality that seemed unrealistic to me, but it was a nice little tid bit to keep in my mind.

[Christine Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just wonderful! I am so glad the author gave us this extra chapter of Viviane talking with Molly. I loved the Orphan Train and this scene answered a much needed question.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read but I didn't really see it was required, but yeah it filled a gap...

[Ida · Rating 5 out of 5]

In just a handful of pages, Baker Kline has made me want to read The Orphan Train again for the millionth time. I’m among those who never really questioned why Vivian gave her baby up;- quite frankly, I could see myself doing the same thing if I was in a situation such as that. But wow… this additional chapter does not disappoint. We finally get to see how Molly reacts to the news, and why Vivian still hasn’t made the stride to reconnect with her daughter. My favorite addition, though, has to be how we see Vivian finally feels after keeping the secret with her for 60 years. If you pick up the first addition of the book, there’s literally nothing stopping you from reading this chapter (it’s free on her website and Harper Collins!) so please do take the time to :))

[Bethany Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t a completely fair rating because I read this book so long ago and just stumbled on this extra piece. I don’t remember enough about the passage it correlates to, but this was still a sweet edition to a book I loved.

[Vicky Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphan Train

Fantastic storyline draws you into the characters. I couldn't put this book down. Best read in a long time! Must read!

[TAMMY WRIGHT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ummm

I guess I should read the first book first. I was so lost in this book. It sounded good. But..

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick little story. Wish I would have read it closer to when I read Orphan Train, but it was clear enough on it's own. Good for a bedtime read.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Update that was helpful. Loved The Orphan Train. Had already read A Piece of the World and really liked that book, too.

[Michelle Ionta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read, as a novella, but a great companion read to Orphan Train and gives more about the story of how America dealt with too many homeless children and limited resources to care for them.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short expansion to provide background.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good addition

I felt like I understood her decision before reading this but it is good too be certain. Definitely suggest reading this right after, if not during the Orphan Train book itself.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great companion piece to Orphan Train. Although, I didn't question Vivian's choice, it was nice to revisit this story to hear a different side.

[Rosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a chapter long, it explains one of the character's reasons for making the decision she made. It made sense to me in the book. This is written in the same lovely style as in the book Orphan Train. It neither adds or takes away from the original.

[Laura Littlefield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not necessary. I am not sure why other readers didn't understand Vivian's motivations.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vivian explains to Molly why she gave up her baby for adoption.

Just a chapter long, I'm not sure why the author thought she needed to answer this question.