Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade- 416 pages

Book Blurb:

In 1919, four-year-old Rachel Rabinowitz is placed in the Hebrew Infant Home where Dr. Mildred Solomon is conducting medical research on the children. Dr. Solomon subjects Rachel to an experimental course of X-ray treatments that establish the doctor’s reputation while risking the little girl’s health. Now it’s 1954, and Rachel is a nurse in the hospice wing of the Old Hebrews Home when elderly Dr. Solomon becomes her patient. Realizing the power she holds over the helpless doctor, Rachel embarks on a dangerous experiment of her own design. Before the night shift ends, Rachel will be forced to choose between forgiveness and revenge.

My Review: 3.5 stars

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Orphan #8 was an amazing glimpse into the early 1900s, the Hebrew Infant Home orphanage and the actual testing that was done on children there. Was it cruel? Yes. Was it hard to read at times? Yes. Should I have read it while on a beach? Absolutely not!

I found the subject matter in this book fascinating and am grateful for the detailed information the author added to the epilogue about the true events that inspired this novel. From there, I was able to Google away and learn even more.

The history part sucked me right in and kept my interest however I wish that the characters had more depth and development so we understood them a bit more. I think that would’ve allowed the reader a much more authentic and emotional experience. How the siblings became orphans seemed a little far-fetched and kept me somewhat removed from them, but of course I was still their biggest cheerleader.

Rachel not only survives the experiments but is also faced with shame, bullying, sexual attacks, alopecia, abandonment issues and being homosexual. Now in her forties and having to not only face Dr. Solomon, but also care for her, makes for a very riveting read.

Quotes I liked:

G-d knows we’re all starving for mothers.”

-“A few details stood out as solid and true: Dr. Solomon’s smile; how she’d say I was good and brave; the way she looked at me, as if she could see my soul.”