Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Manilla Press (2020), 400 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML:A Sunday Times bestseller! Two women, bound by a child, and a secret that will change everything . . . London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate newborn at the Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the daughter she has never known. Dreading the worst, that she has died in care, she is astonished to discover someone pretending to be Bess has already claimed her. Her life is turned upside down as she tries to find out who has taken her little girl�??and why. Less than a mile from Bess's poor lodgings, in a quiet Georgian townhouse, lives Alexandra, a reclusive young widow. When her close friend�??an ambitious doctor at the orphanage�??persuades her to hire a nursemaid to help care for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars comes this captivating story of mothers and daughters, class and power, and love against the greatest of odds. "A gripping tale of motherhood, loss, and redemption. Hall's distinctive characters and scrupulous historical detail drop us into a rich, Dickensian world full of desperation and lies, and shows us just how far a mother will go to hold onto her child." �??Serena Burdick, International bestselling author of The Girls with No Names "The new Hilary Mantel!"�??Cosmopo… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member VanessaCW
I loved this story! Set in London during the 18th century and told by two voices, that of a young mother and shrimp seller, Bess Bright, and a widow, Alexandra Callard, who lives with her daughter, Charlotte. Six years after leaving her baby, Clara, at the Foundling Hospital, Bess discovers Clara
I was looking forward to reading this book so was very pleased when it became available by way of a competition on Pigeonhole. Having won my place, I eagerly awaited each stave every day and was sad when I received the last one, I didn’t want it to finish. It’s beautifully and atmospherically written with some wonderful and realistic characters. The Foundling is such an immersing read, so much so I was easily transported to Georgian London and I became totally absorbed into Bess’ and Alexandra’s individual stories. I was gripped from beginning to end.
Historical fiction fans are going to love this one! I haven’t read The Familiars, Stacey Halls’ first book, but it’s on my ‘to be read’ pile and I’m impatient to start it!
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has already been reclaimed by someone professing to be her. Bess’ investigations lead her to the position of nursemaid.I was looking forward to reading this book so was very pleased when it became available by way of a competition on Pigeonhole. Having won my place, I eagerly awaited each stave every day and was sad when I received the last one, I didn’t want it to finish. It’s beautifully and atmospherically written with some wonderful and realistic characters. The Foundling is such an immersing read, so much so I was easily transported to Georgian London and I became totally absorbed into Bess’ and Alexandra’s individual stories. I was gripped from beginning to end.
Historical fiction fans are going to love this one! I haven’t read The Familiars, Stacey Halls’ first book, but it’s on my ‘to be read’ pile and I’m impatient to start it!
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LibraryThing member alekee
1754 England was a different place and times were hard, a lot of people didn’t survive, and as you begin turning the pages of this book you will begin walking in two different woman’s shoes.
One gives birth and surrenders her child all in one day to a foundling home, for what she is hoping to
The other has had a lot of tragedy in her life, including the death of her husband. She does not have to worry about where her next meal is coming from, having been left well off after the death of her parents.
Both endeavor to be parents to Charlotte/Clara, and we are along to see how this unfolds, and the heartache, and yes, the loving of others to help.
This book quickly became a page-turner for me, and I finished in one sitting!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
One gives birth and surrenders her child all in one day to a foundling home, for what she is hoping to
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return and get her in about six years.The other has had a lot of tragedy in her life, including the death of her husband. She does not have to worry about where her next meal is coming from, having been left well off after the death of her parents.
Both endeavor to be parents to Charlotte/Clara, and we are along to see how this unfolds, and the heartache, and yes, the loving of others to help.
This book quickly became a page-turner for me, and I finished in one sitting!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher MIRA, and was not required to give a positive review.
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LibraryThing member SilversReviews
Having to leave your newborn at a Foundling until you could afford to keep the child seemed to be the norm in the 1700's for poor families.
Going back to get your child after you saved half a year's wages to pay for the child’s keep for six years and find out someone else had claimed to be you and
Bess was devastated when she found out someone had taken her daughter. When she questioned the governors of the Foundling, they had no answer, but her second try at finding something out had her introduced to a doctor who was going to try to help her.
Meeting with the doctor at a Sunday service allowed Bess to see a small child who she knew was her daughter. Seeing the child's mother was a shock - Bess knew who she was, and knew that this woman's daughter was surely her own daughter.
The following day, Doctor Mead proposed something extraordinary and unheard of to the child's wealthy mother, Alexandra. Because she kept everything locked up, secretive, and never went outside the house except for Sunday services, Alexandra wasn't sure of the doctor's suggestion to hire a nursemaid.
We follow Bess and Alexandra as Bess serves in her household and is loved by Charlotte more than Charlotte loves Alexandra.
Women's fiction fans and those who enjoy learning of the life styles of the wealthy and their privileges as well as the poor at that time should enjoy this book.
Life in this era was perfectly described by Ms. Halls along with her pull-you-in writing.
THE LOST ORPHAN has mystery, historical fiction, a main character with agoraphobic problems that stem from an incident in her childhood, secrets, and to what lengths a mother's love takes her. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Going back to get your child after you saved half a year's wages to pay for the child’s keep for six years and find out someone else had claimed to be you and
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taken your child was more unbearable than leaving your child the first time.Bess was devastated when she found out someone had taken her daughter. When she questioned the governors of the Foundling, they had no answer, but her second try at finding something out had her introduced to a doctor who was going to try to help her.
Meeting with the doctor at a Sunday service allowed Bess to see a small child who she knew was her daughter. Seeing the child's mother was a shock - Bess knew who she was, and knew that this woman's daughter was surely her own daughter.
The following day, Doctor Mead proposed something extraordinary and unheard of to the child's wealthy mother, Alexandra. Because she kept everything locked up, secretive, and never went outside the house except for Sunday services, Alexandra wasn't sure of the doctor's suggestion to hire a nursemaid.
We follow Bess and Alexandra as Bess serves in her household and is loved by Charlotte more than Charlotte loves Alexandra.
Women's fiction fans and those who enjoy learning of the life styles of the wealthy and their privileges as well as the poor at that time should enjoy this book.
Life in this era was perfectly described by Ms. Halls along with her pull-you-in writing.
THE LOST ORPHAN has mystery, historical fiction, a main character with agoraphobic problems that stem from an incident in her childhood, secrets, and to what lengths a mother's love takes her. 5/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls has Bess Bright at the Foundling Hospital in late November of 1747. Bess had given birth to a little girl that day and her father is with her waiting her turn on lottery night. Bess is unmarried and unable to keep her daughter, Clara at this time. Six years later,
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Bess returns to reclaim Clara only to discover to that someone—using her name—reclaimed the child the day after Bess left her at London’s Foundling Hospital. She does not know how an individual knew the correct information to give to claim Clara. Bess is determined to discover who took her daughter and why they did it. Not far away, a widow of means lives a quiet life with her daughter. They only venture outside on Sunday for church. Her one friend is kindly local doctor. He suggests that she hire a nursemaid and introduces her to one. The widow is reluctant to add someone to her orderly home, but she agrees after seeing how the child and nursemaid get on together. The widow has a secret, though, that if discovered could change everything. The Lost Orphan is an engaging historical novel. I was drawn into the story and was reluctant to put it down to get chores done (the cats were determined to get their dinner though). I found it to be well-written with realistic characters. The author captured time and place. I could tell Stacey Halls did her research. I thought the plot was captivating. It is told from Bess’s and the widow’s point-of-views. We get to see the situation from both perspectives which I appreciated. There is some foul language (very little) in the story along with some violent situations (just so you are aware). The author provided vivid descriptions which really bring the story alive. The Lost Orphan is a raw and gritty story that draw you in from the very first page. Show Less
LibraryThing member Darcia
The Lost Orphan gives us: beautiful writing, emotional connection with the characters, complex plot, and immersive setting.
I was transported straight to England in the mid 1700s. I felt the class difference, from the desperation of a poor, unwed mother to the superiority and pampered existence of a
The plot examines women's roles, including aspects of motherhood, emotional and psychological issues, and how strength can take many forms.
Pacing is slow, though intentionally so, as the story is meant to be settled into and experienced.
I love when historical fiction allows me to feel what it was like to live in another time, and Stacey Halls provides this gift with The Lost Orphan.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
I was transported straight to England in the mid 1700s. I felt the class difference, from the desperation of a poor, unwed mother to the superiority and pampered existence of a
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widow. The streets come alive with their danger and their bustling markets. The plot examines women's roles, including aspects of motherhood, emotional and psychological issues, and how strength can take many forms.
Pacing is slow, though intentionally so, as the story is meant to be settled into and experienced.
I love when historical fiction allows me to feel what it was like to live in another time, and Stacey Halls provides this gift with The Lost Orphan.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
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LibraryThing member KateBaxter
Back in 2010/2011, author Stacey Halls attended an exhibition of tokens and artifacts of an 18th century London foundling hospital. I had the pleasure of viewing that same exhibit in 2014 when it was showing in Williamsburg, VA. The orphans' parents were given the opportunity to leave some sort of
From that moving experience, Ms. Halls spun an impelling tale wherein an unwed mother brings her hours-old child to the Foundling Hospital with the hope that they will accept the child. The mother has every expectation that at some point in the future she will be able to reclaim the child when her own situation is more stable. For the child, she entrusts her half of a pendant with the child's new caregivers - the token she herself received from the child's father as an expression of his affection for her. After 6 years, the mother believes she is in a position to reclaim her child. Unfortunately, someone pretending to be her had claimed the child shortly after the child's arrival at the hospital.
This book features two strong female protagonists - one maternal and the other icy but wealthy. The interplay between these two woman is richly portrayed. Their character development is strong as is that of the child. The mise en scene was equally rich in its portrayal as it draws on all of the readers senses. I personally was moved by the story and thought it to be well told.
I am uncertain why this books appears under two differing titles. The North American edition is entitled, "The Lost Orphan" and its British counterpart is entitled, "The Foundling". Regardless, the coverart is beautifully rendered for each book and draws the potential reader into its pages.
I am grateful to mira publishing for having provided a free uncorrected proof of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
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token at the hospital for their child. It would provide the connection between parent and child should there be a possibility of reuniting. This emotional and informative exhibit was entitled, "Threads of Feeling". From that moving experience, Ms. Halls spun an impelling tale wherein an unwed mother brings her hours-old child to the Foundling Hospital with the hope that they will accept the child. The mother has every expectation that at some point in the future she will be able to reclaim the child when her own situation is more stable. For the child, she entrusts her half of a pendant with the child's new caregivers - the token she herself received from the child's father as an expression of his affection for her. After 6 years, the mother believes she is in a position to reclaim her child. Unfortunately, someone pretending to be her had claimed the child shortly after the child's arrival at the hospital.
This book features two strong female protagonists - one maternal and the other icy but wealthy. The interplay between these two woman is richly portrayed. Their character development is strong as is that of the child. The mise en scene was equally rich in its portrayal as it draws on all of the readers senses. I personally was moved by the story and thought it to be well told.
I am uncertain why this books appears under two differing titles. The North American edition is entitled, "The Lost Orphan" and its British counterpart is entitled, "The Foundling". Regardless, the coverart is beautifully rendered for each book and draws the potential reader into its pages.
I am grateful to mira publishing for having provided a free uncorrected proof of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
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LibraryThing member JanaRose1
Six years after leaving her daughter at a Foundling Orphanage, Bess has scrimped and saved and is ready to reclaim her. When she returns to the orphanage, she is astonished to learn that someone has already reclaimed her daughter. Alexandra, a young widow, is practically a shut-in. The only time
I thought this premise was pretty interesting, but the characters themselves felt very stereotypical. The story itself unraveled in a pretty predictable way. Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.
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she leaves her house is once a week, for her and her daughter to attend church. When she is persuaded by a close friend to hire a nursemaid to care for her daughter her secrets slowly begin to unravel.I thought this premise was pretty interesting, but the characters themselves felt very stereotypical. The story itself unraveled in a pretty predictable way. Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.
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LibraryThing member edwardsgt
Well written insight into life in 18th century London and the extremes between the wealthy classes and those living on the bread line. Bess, a working class girl selling shrimp has a one night stand with a wealthy man and becomes pregnant. She is unable to keep her baby and gives it up to the
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Foundling Hospital, but is determined to regain her child once she saved enough. Her path then crosses and intertwines with the wife of her baby's father, who has subsequently died. Show Less
LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
I enjoyed this novel set in Georgian England and it certainly grabbed my attention from the start with young Bess forced to give up her baby at the Foundling Hospital. I felt so sorry for the young mother who vowed to reclaim her daughter in six years when she had saved the money to do so. Bess was
The other main character was the well-to-do widow, Alexandra Callard. The horrific deaths of her parents when she was a child had left her uptight, fearful and a recluse. I didn't like her as much as I did Beth, especially the way she treated her child, but I was sympathetic to her plight. I just wish she had demonstrated how much she loved her daughter. Instead she was cold and often unfeeling which had me frustrated.
"The Foundling" highlighted the inequality been the rich and poor and Halls brought the smells, sights and poverty of London to life. An enjoyable read with a gorgeous front cover.
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a wonderful protagonist - pragmatic, determined, caring, independent and a realist.The other main character was the well-to-do widow, Alexandra Callard. The horrific deaths of her parents when she was a child had left her uptight, fearful and a recluse. I didn't like her as much as I did Beth, especially the way she treated her child, but I was sympathetic to her plight. I just wish she had demonstrated how much she loved her daughter. Instead she was cold and often unfeeling which had me frustrated.
"The Foundling" highlighted the inequality been the rich and poor and Halls brought the smells, sights and poverty of London to life. An enjoyable read with a gorgeous front cover.
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LibraryThing member starbox
Forgettable- tho readable- bit of chick lit nonsense. Having built up a complicated character- frigid, agarophobic- Ms Halls wonders whatever to do with her and has her unhappy virginal widow suddenly cured of her issues as she makes up to the good Doctor...
LibraryThing member celerydog
Enjoyable light read, but let down by the characterisation of the wealthy widow character, and the story relies on an almost implausible coincidence. Historical setting and development of the protagonist very convincing. Based on historical fact.
LibraryThing member mumoftheanimals
Orphans and childhood is a topic I have always been interested in. And being set in Georgian England was certainly a plus. Unusually good description of working class poverty not being synonymous with working class unhappiness. I felt it fell apart at the end when it should have been at its best.
LibraryThing member StressedRach
As soon as I picked this up and started reading it I was pulled right into it. The author built a fascinating world of 1700's London and I could really visualise everything from the rags to the riches, everything was remarkable.
The story was told in two POV, Bess and Alexandra, Bess gave her
When she turned up six years later, she learns that the child was taken by her (an imposter obviously) when the child was just a day old. Bess is beside herself and wants to find her child. This leads to interactions with Alexandra and then the whole thing kind of blows up.
I really enjoyed this book, Stacey Halls wrote it so well, everything flowed at an even pace.
I would definitely recommend it.
The story was told in two POV, Bess and Alexandra, Bess gave her
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newborn to The Foundling as she was a single mother and knew she couldn't give her what she needed at that time, but she was saving her money so she could collect the child in a few years time. When she turned up six years later, she learns that the child was taken by her (an imposter obviously) when the child was just a day old. Bess is beside herself and wants to find her child. This leads to interactions with Alexandra and then the whole thing kind of blows up.
I really enjoyed this book, Stacey Halls wrote it so well, everything flowed at an even pace.
I would definitely recommend it.
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LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
This was very good until the last 10-15 pages.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020-02-04
Physical description
8.74 inches
ISBN
1838770062 / 9781838770068
Local notes
Dreading the worst - that Clara has died in care - the last thing she expects to hear is that her daughter has already been reclaimed - by her.