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The Foundling

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About this listen


From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Familiars

Two women, bound by a child, and a secret that will change everything . . .

London, 1754. Six years after leaving her illegitimate daughter Clara at London's Foundling Hospital, Bess Bright returns to reclaim the child she has never known. Dreading the worst, that Clara has died in care, Bess is astonished to be told she 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 lodgings in the city, in a quiet, gloomy townhouse on the edge of London, a young widow has not left the house in a decade. When her close friend - an ambitious young doctor at the Foundling Hospital - persuades her to hire a nursemaid for her daughter, she is hesitant to welcome someone new into her home and her life. But her past is threatening to catch up with her and tear her carefully constructed world apart.

From the bestselling author of The Familiars comes this captivating story of mothers and daughters, class and power, and love against the greatest of odds . . .

'The new Hilary Mantel' Cosmopolitan

Another gripping, immersive, intelligent work of historical fiction from the bestselling author of The Familiars' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies

'A gripping and moving read' Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido

'Fantastic storytelling that grabbed me from the off' Good Housekeeping



*Sunday Times bestseller February and September 2020*

*Winner of Women's Prize for Fiction x Good Housekeeping Futures award - Good Housekeeping 14 Oct 2022*

©2020 Stacy Halls (P)2020 Bonnier Books UK Fiction Historical Fiction England

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Just loved this book, listened to it in 3 days!
Loved it as much as Familiars, less magic, but description so detailed and you could imagine treading the London streets yourself.
An amazing book, thankyou.

Just loved every word.....

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I loved the familars having grown up with the Pendel Witches I wondered if this second novel would be as fantastic. I was not disappointed. the story is totally heart wrenching, uplifting and tragic. the multi context driven storyline tackling grief, motherhood, love, poverty, class divisions and the challenges of female expectations.

the performances were perfect filled with the emotion of the text. it allowed me to emerce myself within the characters.

one of the best new novels I've encountered!

Brilliant Book!

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A truly amazing story. Sad it has ended. Can't wait to read her other story.

One not to miss.

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Loved this book..the story, the characters, the narration.. I could not stop listening to it

The Foundling

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This book immerses you deep within its soul, the characters came alive and I felt I knew them intimately:
The exceptional descriptive narrative gave me an impression of what London felt, looked and even smelt like.

The narrators did a fabulous job, although it was slow, so I sped it up to 1.2 and for me personally that was better.
The narrator who spoke the voice of the child Charlotte was so convincing I thought it as a child. So often you get a banshee screech for children’s voices.

I apologies for not elaborating more on the story , however the summary of the book says it all, so I would just be spoiling it for you.

If you like a marvelously written historical fiction, you will enjoy this immensely.

Beautiful descriptive prose.

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Having been captivated by The Gallows Pole by Ben Myers I have made it my mission to seek out the best in historical fiction. This book by Stacey Halls popped up when I was exploring on line and I am so pleased that it did. This is a beautifully crafted work telling the story of a Georgian London through the eyes of shrimp girl Beth and widow Alexandra. It is a story of class and motherhood and the simple but compelling story is told well and comes together nicely at the end as all good books should. I was interested to hear that there was a Foundling Hospital that took in abandoned children and there is a museum in London that tells its story. I will certainly make the effort to visit the next time I am in London. I will also check out Stacey Halls previous book The Familiars and look out for her in the future. Five stars.

Beautifully crafted historical fiction

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Such an unusual storyline but very good listening I would recommend this book as a good first choice for audiobooks

First class

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This books comes alive. The characters are so interesting and the descriptions of them and their voices bring the book alive. A great story of a mother’s love and determination. Would really recommend it and about to listen to her first book.

Beautiful read.

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loved it. I will definitely be visiting the founding museum when it's open. Really good narration

Great listen

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A fantastic read set in historical Georgian London. Two women from completely different backgrounds each share a love for one child in their own particular ways.

A fantastic listen

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