London: Prints & Drawings Before 1800
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By the end of the eighteenth century London was the second largest city in the world, its relentless...
The Foundling
9.0
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Two women from different worlds. And a secret that will change everything . . . London, 1754....
Historical fiction London Georgian Period
Stories I Stole: From Georgia
7.0
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'A joyous, perceptive and haunting debut which fizzes - and sears - like rough new wine' Rory...
London: Architecture, Building and Social Change
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London, a fascinating metropolis not just in terms of its history and landmark buildings, is also a...
The Confessions of Frannie Langton
9.0
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'They say I must be put to death for what happened to Madame, and they want me to confess. But how...
Historical Fiction
ClareR (5721 KP) rated The Foundling in Books
Jan 14, 2020
Bess Bright, a hawker of shrimps on London’s streets, leaves her newborn, Clara, at the London Foundling Hospital with every intention of reclaiming her when she is older. When Bess does return having saved the money to pay for the care her daughter has received over the last six years, it’s to discover that Bess Bright has already claimed her baby the day after she left her. So someone has taken her daughter.
In a much wealthier part of London, a widow is persuaded by her doctor to take on a nursemaid for her daughter. The widow rarely leaves her home, and doesn’t let her daughter play outside. The child’s only time outside is the journey to church at the Foundling Hospital every Sunday. The new nursemaid, along with the doctor, convince the widow that she should allow the child some times outside to play, and some fresh air.
This is just the tip of the iceberg though. The widow is a complex, damaged character who tries to hide from her past - but as secrets have a habit of doing, hers catch up with her. The nursemaid is instrumental in this.
The descriptions in this book are all so vivid - I was transported into the contrasting world of Georgian London and those who lived in poverty living alongside (streets away from) those who lived with unmentionable amounts of money. The oppression in the widows household was overwhelming: claustrophobic, even.
I loved everything about this book - I loved the gothic, suspense-filled atmosphere, and spent a large part of the book with my heart in my mouth!
Another wonderful book by Stacey Halls, and one I’d highly recommend reading!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for the reading AND the listening experience (I loved the narrators on the audio book!), and Stacey Halls for reading along, too!
London's Hidden Corners, Lanes & Squares
Book
London's Hidden Corners, Lanes & Squares was inspired by Samuel Johnson's advice to his friend and...
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock in Books
Jan 14, 2019
London: A History in Paintings & Illustrations
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London has been an irresistible subject for generations of artists and draughtsmen, who have...
Queen of the Courtesans: Fanny Murray
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Fanny Murray (1729-1778) was a famous Georgian beauty and courtesan, desired throughout England and...