55 pages • 1 hour read
Ann LearyThe Foundling
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Foundling, Ann Leary's protagonist, Mary, an orphan with a traumatic past, is hired as a secretary at Nettleton State Village, a Pennsylvania institution for "feebleminded" women in the late 1920s. Adjusting to her new role, she uncovers dark truths about the institution and becomes entangled in efforts to expose and rectify systemic abuses, ultimately finding solidarity and redemption. The novel discusses eugenics, forced institutionalization, racism, and child sexual abuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ann Leary's The Foundling offers a captivating historical narrative with well-drawn characters and rich period detail. Reviewers commend its exploration of social issues and emotional resonance. However, some critics note a few predictable plot twists and perceived pacing issues. Overall, it remains an engaging and heartfelt read. Leary, Ann. The Foundling. 2022.
Who Should Read The Foundling?
Fans of historical fiction set in the 1920s with a focus on women's emancipation will enjoy Ann Leary's The Foundling. Similar in tone to Lisa Wingate's Before We Were Yours and Kate Alcott's The Dressmaker, this novel appeals to readers who appreciate intricate character development and rich historical settings.