July's Book Of The Month

Just finished another captivating read by Stacey Halls. I devoured her novel 'Mrs England' last year, which subsequently became one of my favourite novels I have read, and Stacy Halls' 'The Foundling' is also very highly ranked on my list.

I think one of the intriguing things I enjoyed most about this novel, is that I couldn't figure out how it would end, or how the plot would develop or even which character I could really trust. The mystery interwoven throughout the story was truly engaging and intelligently written, and the characters were vividly drawn, coming to life in a very authentic way. The writing was beautifully literary and mature, and every detail was masterfully portrayed so I could clearly envision each scene that developed before me as I read.

'The Foundling' is a work of historical fiction, and it was fascinating learning about the foundling hospital and being taught historical facts in a compelling way as you read the tale of Bess, and her hard-fought journey to get her illegitimate daughter back, that she is forced to hand over to the Foundling Hospital after giving birth. In this story we see the lengths that a mother will go to, in order to be with her child.

We meet many fascinating and well-painted characters along the way; the complicated and pitiful recluse Alexandra Callard, whose character development is a delight to watch towards the conclusion of the novel; the well-meaning and tender Doctor Mead and the amusing, outspoken but good-natured Lyle.

This novel is written in the 'first person', alternating between Bess and Alexandra, and is truly a delight to read from start to finish. It is a tale of a mother's love, of deception and heartache, of the harsh realities for the lower classes in Georgian London and living with the consequences of the past. I experienced a wide variety of emotions throughout this journey, from sorrow to joy, from anger to compassion, from apprehension to relief.

A round of applause to Stacey Halls - a truly masterful storyteller - for another gripping novel.