very enjoyable and easy read, riveting in parts
some deep themes and some trite tying up of loose ends at the end
things she evoked well and stayed with me:
the cold
the smell of shrimp
Alexandra's PTSD
Ned's addictions
Keziah's family

What a stunning cover! 5* for the cover.

The Foundling is the first book I’ve read by Stacey Halls and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a dual narrative throughout between Bess and Alexandra.

We meet Bess at the start of the book. She has literally just had a baby earlier that day and takes it to the Foundling Hospital in the hope that they can care for her child. She desperately hopes to return to claim her child at a future date when she has had a chance to save some money to care for her. Bess lives a hand to mouth existence with her father selling shrimp near Billingsgate market in London. Six years later when she returns to claim her child, she is horrified to discover that someone claiming to be her has already claimed the child.

We then meet a wealthy widow called Alexandra who is agoraphobic and mother to a daughter called Charlotte. Her life is very confined obviously. Alexandra is deeply troubled, and we gradually learn the root cause of her anguish. She also appears to have difficulties relating to her daughter.

It is not difficult to predict how this pans out but I really enjoyed the journey. Stacey Halls is thorough in her research and the contrast between the life of the London rich and poor is clearly portrayed. I could almost smell the fish and blood around the fish and livestock markets and the damp, mould, and mildew inside crowded homes. The Foundling also considers the nature of motherhood; is it primarily about loving, caring, and nurturing or is the key factor bearing a child?

The ending did stretch credibility a bit but that was fine with me! I need some happy endings! I really enjoyed this and intend to read Stacey Halls’ other two book soon. Recommended for lovers of historical fiction and books about women.

Mediocre run of the mill easy read. Almost as poor as Rose Tremain’s Lily which is written on a similar theme featuring Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital. Have visited several times so knew quite a bit about its history . Won’t be reading any more novels by Stacey Hall - well researched but book written very much with a 21st century awareness rather than an authentic feeling historical novel. Coram Boy by children’s author Jamila Gavin so much better read . This would be a good book for year 9 and above but an unsophisticated adult read. To suggest she is a worthy successor to Mantel as stated on the cover is ridiculous.

Saw this title on a "Just Returned" display at the library.
I guess it is also known as "The Foundling".
I looked for it on my audio book app and borrowed it. Was not disappointed.
This book reminded me of "The Seamstress of New Orleans". Two women
are connected and knowledge of that connection developes as the story develops.