The Foundling

A Novel

By: Ann Leary

Narrated by: Laura Benanti

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good House, the “harrowing, gripping, and beautiful” (Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author) story of two friends, raised in the same orphanage, whose loyalty is put to the ultimate test when they meet years later at an institution—based on a shocking and little-known piece of American history.

It’s 1927 and eighteen-year-old Mary Engle is hired to work as a secretary at a remote but scenic institution for mentally disabled women called the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. She’s immediately in awe of her employer—brilliant, genteel Dr. Agnes Vogel.

Dr. Vogel had been the only woman in her class in medical school. As a young psychiatrist she was an outspoken crusader for women’s suffrage. Now, at age forty, Dr. Vogel runs one of the largest and most self-sufficient public asylums for women in the country. Mary deeply admires how dedicated the doctor is to the poor and vulnerable women under her care.

Soon after she’s hired, Mary learns that a girl from her childhood orphanage is one of the inmates. Mary remembers Lillian as a beautiful free spirit with a sometimes-tempestuous side. Could she be mentally disabled? When Lillian begs Mary to help her escape, alleging the asylum is not what it seems, Mary is faced with a terrible choice. Should she trust her troubled friend with whom she shares a dark childhood secret? Mary’s decision triggers a hair-raising sequence of events with life-altering consequences for all.

Inspired by a true story about the author’s grandmother, The Foundling is compelling, unsettling, and “a stunning reminder that not much time has passed since everyone claimed to know what was best for a woman—everyone except the woman herself” (Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author).

Critic reviews

"Benanti provides authentic voices for the large cast, including the staff and inmates of the facility, as well as residents of the rural Pennsylvania community in which it is located. She captures the refined yet adamant tone of Dr. Vogel and portrays the attitudes of others who promote the segregation of women from poor backgrounds whose views and experiences with race, sexuality, and/or marriage conflict with the social norms of that time. Benanti gives a vibrant depiction of a sad chapter in American history."

Good Story

The story was good. The 20’s were such a different time for women in America I have to appreciate that we’ve come as far as we have. The narrator would be better suited for a children’s book. Over acting and baby voices. Yuck.

Pre ordered and so glad I did!

Ann Leary delivers again and her range of topic and voice is astounding. I wondered how she would approach this heavy topic.

It turns out to be a journey witnessed through the eyes of a young woman, smart and hardworking, whose had a challenging life and who finds herself with a new direction and the opportunity she has worked toward.

Ultimately, it’s a journey familiar to most of us - the battle to pursue what’s best for oneself or to do what’s best for many. It’s also a great reminder that people aren’t always what they seem. Intelligence isn’t necessarily attached to education. Nor vice versa.

To me, the best books are the ones where I learn something- and I learned a lot in this book. I’ve looked up so many things to expand my knowledge of women’s history even further.

The only thing that jarred me slightly was one of the characters sounded a lot like Marilyn Monroe (or at least the breathy version of her we tend to hear) - not a big deal at all. But, I have to wonder if others noticed.

Thanks Ann for another excellent book!

Hard to believe…

What a great telling of a very dark period in PA’s history. I couldn’t stop listening once this story got rolling. Excellent character development, plot-many twists and turns. Had to get to the end quickly…just couldn’t put it down

Disgusted, this is a make you think book

Ticked off, know this is fiction...but based in truth ans sure the horrors in such facilities were worse than stated here. And so close to allowing the government to do it all again.

Boring

I found the storyline to be simplistic and boring and the narrator to be thoroughly annoying