After WW1 until the end of WWII. Two sisters survive the orphanage and life after ( )

This book is set during the time of World II, from 1929 up to 1945 (VE Day). It is about two sisters who are dropped off at an orphanage outside of London called Blakely Hall at the age of eight (Dorothy) and four (Esther) by their mother. Their mother gave them no explanation at all, and left the building. Both girls never see their mother again. Life is difficult at the orphanage for these two little girls and living there forever changes their lives as well as their outlook on life. When the girls reach 15 years of age, they are released from the orphanage. When Etty leaves four years after Dorothy, the girls find each other and promise to never be separated again. The betrayal of their mother never is forgotten or forgiven. When the war hits, Dorothy says goodbye to her young husband as he goes off to sea, and Etty becomes involved with a man that she can never have. The book takes us through all of the Blitz and the devastation that that caused. Through marriage, childbirth and through widowhood, the two girls stay close until the War hits close to home. All this time they don't know what became of their mother, until after the war ends and the secrets come out. I enjoyed the story, and liked Etty and Dorothy, but I did think that the book was not that well-written. Hence the three stars. I must also note that there is nothing of historical significance about World War II or the Blitz. It is mostly a story about two young girls who are abandoned at a young age, and how it affected their lives, personalities and their futures. ( )

The cover of the book makes you think Etty and Dorothy are still girls when the bombings come, but they're already grown and starting families. Like another reviewer I thought it would be more about their life in the orphanage, but I guess that would have gotten depressing after a while. While the book kept me interested and reading, it wasn't my favorite book on World War II. However, I think it was the first that described the bombings so vividly. ( )

This one really disappointed me. It started off so strong! I thought this was going to be an emotional and beautiful story, but it lost me after the first few chapters. It really did not follow the girls in the orphanage as much as I thought. Once they both leave, the story was too slow. The introduction to May and her story brought some interest, but not enough to push through. Sadly, I am DNFing this one. ( )

The Orphan Sisters, the debut novel of author Shirley Dickson, opens in 1929. Dorothy, age 8, and Etty, age 4, are rushing down the street with their mother, suitcases swinging by their sides. Etty thinks they are going someplace special but soon realizes that this is one trip she never wanted to take. ...more ( )