The Foundling
The gripping Sunday Times bestselling historical novel, from the winner of the Women's Prize Futures award
Stacey Halls author Patrick Knowles illustrator Lucy Rose Cartwright illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bonnier Books Ltd
Published:3rd Sep '20
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Set in 1754 London, The Foundling tells the story of two women intertwined by a child and the secrets that could change their lives forever.
In The Foundling, Stacey Halls weaves a gripping tale set in London during 1754, where two women are bound by a child and the secrets that surround her. Bess Bright returns to the Foundling Hospital after six years, desperate to reclaim her illegitimate daughter, Clara, whom she left in care. To her shock, she learns that Clara has already been claimed by another. This revelation sends Bess on a quest to uncover the identity of the woman who has taken her daughter and the reasons behind her actions.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit townhouse not far from Bess's lodgings, a young widow has been living in isolation for a decade. Pressured by her ambitious friend, a doctor at the Foundling Hospital, she reluctantly hires a nursemaid for her own daughter. As the past looms large, threatening to unravel her carefully constructed life, she must confront the choices that have led her to this moment.
The Foundling is not just a story about motherhood; it delves into themes of class, power, and the lengths to which a mother will go for her child. Halls masterfully captures the emotional turmoil and societal pressures of the time, creating an atmospheric and immersive reading experience that resonates deeply with contemporary audiences. This novel is a testament to the enduring bonds of love and the complexities of family dynamics.
If you loved The Familiars, then you won't be disappointed by The Foundling. A gripping and moving read * Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido *
Pacy, highly atmospheric and tantalisingly gripping from the very first page. The strands of tense and devastating maternal conflict are acutely observed and beautifully sustained throughout the book. Stacey really has created warm and memorable characters, drawn with great sympathy and understanding, who deliver a taut and riveting read. Withrich storytelling and a compelling narrative, The Foundling is subtle, satisfying and intensely moving; a fabulous example of great historical fiction * Laura Carlin, author of The Wicked Cometh *
The Foundling dragged me along in its narrative wake. Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars * Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies *
It was a privilege to read The Foundling. I really couldn't stop turning the pages as Stacey's beautiful writing drew a compelling tale of love and hope from the vivid streets of Georgian London * Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose *
A masterpiece of storytelling - a perfect, captivating mystery that expands to ask big questions about love and motherhood, all while maintaining the breathless pace of a thriller, and the stunningly vivid and well-researched detail of the very best historical fiction. I can't recommend it highly enough * Katie Lowe, author of The Furies *
I was completely swept up in this novel. It's crammed with vivid and engaging characters, there's a beautiful sense of place, revealing hidden aspects of Georgian life. And the central mystery of a missing child gradually plays out as a tenderly observed study of grief and loss, while offering the possibility that love will indeed find a way * Amanda Mason, author of The Wayward Girls *
Beautiful and captivating * Candis *
If you enjoy Mindhunter levels of suspense, you'll love it * Cosmopolitan.co.uk *
The Foundling is a ripping yarn with real heart and depth * Sun Business Post *
Stacey Halls is back with another mesmerising story * Yahoo Lifestyle *
ISBN: 9781838771409
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 22mm
Weight: 292g
400 pages