Genre Fiction
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The Foundling: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good House, the story of two friends, raised in the same orphanage, whose loyalty is put to the ultimate test when they meet years later at a controversial institution-one as an employee; the other, an inmate.
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 offers a rare look at a shocking chapter of American history. This gripping page-turner will have readers on the edge of their seats right up to the stunning last page…asking themselves, "Did this really happen here?"
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 offers a rare look at a shocking chapter of American history. This gripping page-turner will have readers on the edge of their seats right up to the stunning last page…asking themselves, "Did this really happen here?"
Editorial Reviews
"Leary's latest is a stunning tale of corruption, compassion, and hope, and includes one of the best endings I've read in ages. She's reached back in history and uncovered a shockingly true story, one that resonates strongly today. Full of jaw-dropping twists and intriguing characters – you won't be able to put it down."
- Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
"Ann Leary's THE FOUNDLING is a compelling, shocking record of a too-hidden piece of history - when eugenics was commonly applauded as progressive social science…. 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 of Wish You Were Here
"Gripping and consistently surprising, Ann Leary's The Foundling is a first-rate historical novel, so well-researched and so well-told that the reader is transported back in time to a Pennsylvania asylum for wayward women that should never have existed. Excellent."
-Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky
"Ann Leary is a remarkable storyteller, and The Foundling is harrowing, gripping, and beautiful. You'll be thinking about these characters long after you turn the last page."
- Laura Dave, New York Times Bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me
"A fascinating, unsettling, page-turning story inspired by the little-known and horrifying practice of eugenics in 1920's America."
-Lisa Genova, New York Times Bestselling author of Still Alice and Remember
"The Foundling is a gripping account of the ways big, structural decisions can change the intimate lives of or...
- Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace
"Ann Leary's THE FOUNDLING is a compelling, shocking record of a too-hidden piece of history - when eugenics was commonly applauded as progressive social science…. 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 of Wish You Were Here
"Gripping and consistently surprising, Ann Leary's The Foundling is a first-rate historical novel, so well-researched and so well-told that the reader is transported back in time to a Pennsylvania asylum for wayward women that should never have existed. Excellent."
-Mark Sullivan, author of Beneath a Scarlet Sky
"Ann Leary is a remarkable storyteller, and The Foundling is harrowing, gripping, and beautiful. You'll be thinking about these characters long after you turn the last page."
- Laura Dave, New York Times Bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me
"A fascinating, unsettling, page-turning story inspired by the little-known and horrifying practice of eugenics in 1920's America."
-Lisa Genova, New York Times Bestselling author of Still Alice and Remember
"The Foundling is a gripping account of the ways big, structural decisions can change the intimate lives of or...
Readers Top Reviews
Cyndi
I’ve enjoyed all of Ann Leary’s books and was fortunate enough to host her at our library a few years ago, so I was beyond excited to see that she had written a work of historical fiction and even more excited to have received an advanced copy. In 1927, Mary Engle, raised in an orphanage, was thrilled to be offered a job as a secretary at the Nettleton State Village for Feebleninded Women of Childbearing Age. Like most people, Mary is under the impression that all the women there are in fact mentally impaired and that attending this institution is their best option. These impressions change when Mary sees that one of the patients is a very able-minded friend who grew up in the orphanage with her. From that point on, she begins to see that things are not exactly right and that the village’s director does not necessarily have the women’s best intentions in mind, but nefarious ulterior motives for running the facility. Leary’s writing is always stellar and this was no exception. This is her first delve into this genre based on some genealogical research she has done on her own family, which is fascinating. The story moves along quickly and flawlessly and readers will be captivated by Mary, who is at first very naive but quickly learns that things are not right and only she has the power to change this. Her character is strong and lovable. The ending is powerful and very satisfying with an unexpected twist, making this another 5 star book for Ann Leary.
Katie
Mary thinks that she has landed the job of a lifetime at Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. After working there awhile, she realizes that all is not as it seems. She begins to question things, and finally decides to make some changes. This was a good, but sad story, and started slowly. I am, however, glad that I read it to the end!
Tammy A
Set in the 1920s, The Foundling is about two young girls who meet in an orphanage, then meet again years later at a women’s asylum in Pennsylvania. One is a now the secretary to a female doctor who runs the institution, the other a patient/inmate placed there against her will. This story is shocking, and I was horrified by the ghastly corruption and treatment placed upon women inmates within those walls. The author told a well-written and researched tale of friendship, loyalty, and righting the wrongs in an institution that unfortunately didn’t think of these child-bearing aged women being anything but feeble minded. That couldn’t of been farther from the truth. These controversial institutions that primarily focused on eugenics put a large blemish on our history that we sadly still feel the effects of to this day. This is inspired by a true story of the authors grandmother who worked at a similar place. *Thanks to Scribner / Marysue Rucci Books via NetGalley for providing a digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
Danielle B
In 1927, Mary Engle is hired to work as a secretary at a remote institution called, the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. Mary is working for the famous psychiatrist, Dr. Agnes Vogel, who is known as advocate for women in need of help. Mary quickly learns that, Lillian, one of the residents at the institution is familiar to her from her time at an orphanage as a child. They have a bond from their childhood and Lillian soon begs Mary to help plot her escape from the institution. Lillian claims that there are dark secrets here and she must escape soon! When I found out that this book was inspired by Ann Leary’s genealogy research into her grandmother’s history, my curiosity was piqued. I generally find this sort of historical story to be really interesting, and I was not disappointed. Ann Leary did a great job to bring her grandmother’s history to life! Her intense research into the subject matter shows and her writing is top notch. The was my first Ann Leary book, but will not be my last!
kathleen g
Mary Engle is thrilled to be hired as a secretary to Dr. Agnes Vogel- it allows her to escape her hateful aunt and cousin and she's hoping to make money to attend college. Vogel is a eugenist who runs a home for feeble minded women who are meant to be confined there until they are too old to bear children. But what is feeble minded? Mary doesn't question any of it until she spots Lillian, an old frenemy from the Catholic orphanage where she spend much of her childhood. Lillian, the foundling of the title, wasn't at all intellectually hampered when they knew one another so what's happened? Mary isn't one to buck the rules or conventions and even when she meets Jake, a journalist who becomes her love interest, she's committed to Vogel's program. And then she realizes what's really happening. Can Mary save Lillian, whose life has taken a turn? Remember that much of what happens actually sadly reflects opinions about women, race, and other things during this period. Mary's back story comes out as she realizes what's really happening at the institution. There are some wonderful characters here (the maids are a hoot) and some deeply evil ones as well. This is a tad melodramatic in spots but that somehow befits the topic. I found myself turning the pages toward the stunning ending. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A very good read that shines light on a shameful topic.
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