Book Review: Orphan Number 8 by Kim van Alkemade

Why I read this: It was chosen as a Book of the Month at NBRC.

Genre: Historical Fiction

In a Nutshell: Early 20th century New York, medical ethics, LGBT themes

Would suit fans of: Susan Meissner, Elizabeth Wein

Rating: 4 stars

Orphan Number 8 by Kim van Alkemade

Lovely debut historical fiction novel exploring the Jewish orphanages in New York, and the ethics around medical experimentation on people without consent or knowledge that they are in an experiment.
Rachel and her brother Sam are suddenly orphaned in 1919 and are separated when taken to into the Jewish orphange system in New York where Rachel unknowingly becomes part of a medical experiment. Years later, in the 1950s, Rachel discovers the truth when she meets with one of the Doctors who was responsible for the experiment and so the novel weaves its way through the past 40 years of Rachel's life.

There is a lot to like about this book. The historical fiction element is interesting and perhaps not widely known and can create good discussion about medical ethics - somewhat like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In addition is a very human story though about family and relationships and the impact of others on our life. The characters are well crafted and the pacing of the story leaves you wanting more, even when the subject becomes difficult to read.

I will be looking forward to more of Kim van Alkemade's work in the future.

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