Choose a book by it’s cover? Hell yeah! As soon as I got sent the publicity photos for this book I just knew that I had to read it. In a kind of William Morris arts and crafts style the colours just grabbed me and insisted that i pick the book up.
Set in London, the year is 1754. Six years ago Bess Bright left her illegitimate daughter at the Foundling Hospital because she couldn’t afford to keep her. After years of scrimping and saving she finally has enough to go and reclaim Clara. Dreading that her beloved child might have died in the intervening period she is shocked to hear that she was reclaimed the day after she was dropped off by someone pretending to be her.
In a smart London townhouse a reclusive young widow is persuaded by a doctor at the Foundling hospital to hire a nursemaid and companion for her young daughter. The outside world is a frightening and alien place for Alexandra and she lives a peaceful and secluded life with Charlotte snd her small staff. Adding someone else to her household is stressful and daunting.
The Foundling paints a vivid and evocative picture of Georgian London. It feels like you are there with Bess as she searches for the truth and for her daughter. On this Mothers Day weekend it is a fitting tale of two very different women both wanting to claim their daughter as her own. The book is told from the point of view of the two mothers and each is very engaging and sympathetic for different reasons. The story feels well researched and like Halls’ first book it makes you feel like doing a little more research yourself and finding out about that period of time and the Foundlings.
UK Publication Date: Feb 6 2020. 400 Pages
#TheFoundling #NetGalley
Categories: 4 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
#BookAdvocatesUnite
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