This historical novel is set in 1927. At the start of the book, main character Mary is 18 and as she was raised in first an orphanage and then an unloving relative’s house, she is thrilled to get the opportunity to work as a secretary to the female doctor running the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. As modern readers, we can see right away that this is a bad place with sketchy motives based on eugenics (and profits!), but to the sheltered and naive Mary, at first all seems great. But when she realizes that one of the inmates is someone she knew in the orphanage she slowly starts to question things, aided as well by a journalist she starts dating.

I got this book from Netgalley a few years ago, but never picked it up until now when my book club picked it, and I’m glad I finally did. I had worried that it might be a little snoozy, but actually I couldn’t put it down! It was a really interesting story, apparently inspired by Leary’s discovery that her grandmother had worked for a similar place. It’s a departure from her previous novels that were contemporary fiction, but equally well-written. Looking forward to discussing as I think this will make a great book club book.

This eye-opening historical novel is set in 1927 at the (fictional) Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age, a public institution that removes "unfit" women from society during their childbearing years to prevent them from birthing similarly "unfit" children. (Leary was inspired by her grandmother, who worked at such an institution for a time.) Our narrator is 18-year-old Mary Engle, who takes a job at Nettleton and quickly grows to idolize her boss, a physician, suffragist, community pillar, and unapologetic advocate of eugenics. Engle believes in Nettleton's mission, until she encounters a childhood friend who Mary knows to be bright and kind, and who claims she was wrongly institutionalized simply because her husband wanted to be rid of her. This realization ultimately prompts a crisis of conscience for Mary, but how can she question her powerful boss and the institution she's built? Stirring, timely, and highly readable.

Like a sweet candy with a bitter centre, The Foundling is a feminist horror
story wrapped up in a beach read.

It’s the roaring 20s in America, the decade defined by hedonism on the
one hand, and prohibition on the other. Though her father is still alive,
Mary Engle has spent much of her childhood in a Catholic orphanage,
shunted between the guardianship of nuns and her frosty, fault-finding
aunt. Despite being recognised for her intelligence, Mary feels she has no
real prospects. That is, until she unexpectedly lands a position as a
secretary for the glamorous, imperial Dr. Vogel, the head of Nettleton
Village for Feebleminded Girls of Childbearing Age. Mary is initially
besotted with Dr. Vogel, whose professional achievements and university
education fly in the face of the expectations of women at the time.
However, things take a turn for the sinister when Mary recognises a girl
she grew up with, Lillian Faust, among the supposedly ‘moronic’
inpatients at the facility. Mary remembers Lillian as vivacious and
troublemaking, but certainly not feebleminded. Surely there must have
been some mistake? Mary’s attempts to find out what happened to Lillian
set her off on a dangerous path of discovery, exposing the dark heart of
Nettleton Village.

Like a sweet candy with a bitter centre, The Foundling is a feminist horror
story wrapped up in a beach read. Inspired, according to Leary, by real
events, the novel explores the exploitation of working-class girls, whose
supposed moral impropriety made them easy fodder for eugenicist
experiments. If you think that the ease at which the girls are abused after
being labelled as ‘feeble-minded’ has ableist connotations, you’re
absolutely right – but Leary doesn’t spend too much time focusing on
this. Thematically, she’s more interested in the idea that feminine sexual
freedom was easily seen as a kind of mental disability by people at the
time. Leary should be commended for the way that she touches on the
various ‘isms’ (sexism, racism, classicsm) prevalent during the novel’s
period setting. At the same time, the story is packed with plenty of action,
romance, and drama – perfect for a little bit of escapism, or a break from
watching TV soaps.

The most interesting part of the story is the denialism that both Mary and
Dr. Vogel engage in when working at the facility. In her fanatical devotion
to Dr. Vogel, Mary becomes almost like a villain at times. Seeing only
what she wants to see, Mary continually performs mental
gymnastics to justify the doctor’s increasingly questionable
behaviour. Meanwhile, the slow unspooling of Vogel’s darker beliefs
clearly contradicts the story she tells about herself. Leary does an
excellent job at portraying the perversion of a feminist cause, showing
how even those who claim to support women’s advancement can
perpetrate the patriarchal logic that has long kept women down.

A downside to choosing a historical setting for a novel is that the reader is
always about ten steps ahead of the protagonist. It’s difficult to build
suspense when the reader has the benefit of hindsight, and so Mary’s
revelations do not come as much of a surprise. That said, Leary still
manages to provide a juicy, nail-biting ending that will have you turning
pages when you should be asleep. Ultimately, I think that Leary has
chosen a fascinating subject, one that is more than worth spending your
time thinking about. The novel skates over many of the deeper aspects it
introduces, but its rich in complicated themes. In any case, it’s a fun

I did not end up reading this novel. The rating is not a reflection of the story itself, but rather an indication that other books/stories dominated my interest and reading time. Which I think is an important factor when selecting your next read.

Although I liked this book, and it was an easy read, I thought there were some parts that were a stretch. I did think that it gave a realistic picture of what went on in these institutions. Although, it was hard to read about what went on in these institutions, the ending was uplifting if somewhat of a stretch.

Thank you to NetGalley and Marysue Rucci Books/Scribner for the advanced reader copy of this incredible piece of historical fiction. I love this author's books, and really appreciated how it was so different from anything she's ever written before--I absolutely loved it, read it in a little over one day.

The story was inspired by the author's maternal grandmother's life story. Set in the 1920s, the story follows an orphan, Mary Engle, who is chosen to be a secretary for a prestigious female doctor in charge of a women's institute. The institute houses "feebleminded" women, many who were put there by their own families due to their reckless nature, to live out their lives until menopause so they do not reproduce..a practice called eugenics--a controversial method of improving society that was common place during this time period.

Upon taking the job, Mary sees a girl who is an inmate that she grew up with, someone whom she knows to be perfectly fine. Suddenly Mary sees her esteemed boss and the institute and it's practices in a totally different light.

I was so impressed with how well-researched this book was, I loved the characters and their depth. I just could not put the book down..
Great writing, highly recommend this one!♡

This historical fiction novel takes a keen eye at the treatment of young women who were deemed "feeble" in the late 1920s. Mary, a 19 year old former part-orphan at a Catholic orphanage, finds herself working at a state institute ran by Dr. Vogel, a female doctor implementing cutting edge treatment for the women in her care. Mary quickly finds herself captivated by Dr. Vogel and her intelligence and demeanor. While Mary is getting closer to Dr. Vogel, she sees an "inmate" who reminds her of a former orphan who she was sure was not "feeble" when she was young. As Mary approaches this young "inmate" she finds herself starting to question the supposed cutting edge treatment of Dr. Vogel. I'm giving this book a 3 star rating though its definitely between 3 and 4. This is a part of history that is shameful and hard to read about, especially the corruption and lingo. I struggled liking Mary and seeing her as a person who could take on a system she finds herself confronted with. The book spent too much time building the story and I wish there was more resolution. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ecopy of this book for an honest review.

Based on a shocking true story, this piece of historical fiction was quite the eye opener. I love reading more about women throughout history and unfortunately that often involves misjustice.

This is a book about two orphans, Mary and Lillian. Through different circumstances they both end up at the Nettleton State Village for the Feebleminded. What follows is Mary's struggle coming to terms with what's really going on at Nettleton and Lillian's struggle trying to survive there.

The beginning of this book was a bit slow, but once it got going it really took off. The characters of Lillian and Mary were very well drawn and detailed. The doctor, Agnes Vogel, was the perfect amount of sweet and villain. I enjoyed seeing her get her comeuppance.

I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot about a piece of history that I didn't know much about previously. I will definitely be on the lookout for the author's next book!

After reading Ann Leary’s Author’s Note at the beginning of The Foundling, I knew this book was a “must read” for me. Leary explains to the reader that she found information about her grandmother being placed in an institution for “the feeble minded.” A few years ago when my father passed away, I found a folder with my great-great grandmother’s name on it. I knew that my great-grandmother raised her siblings because something happened to her mother. I did not know the story. I found a letter in the folder from an attorney in Nevada, Missouri, informing my great grandmother that her mother was near death and would be buried in Potters Field if his office did not hear from her. In the folder, there were several letters from my great-great grandmother to her daughter written over a period of years. I put the folder away. I knew I had to read The Foundling which I devoured a few weeks ago. This lead me to read my great-great grandmother’s letters. Wow!

Mary Engle, The Foundling’s protagonist was raised in St. Catherine’s Orphanage. Her mother passed away and her father worked in a mining camp. He could only see her some weekends. When she was eighteen, she lived with her aunt while going to secretarial school. Her aunt was not nice to her. Hearing Dr. Agnes Vogel, the director of The Nettleton State Village for Feeble Minded Women of Child Bearing Age speak about the institution and the care provided, Mary spoke to Dr. Vogel. Mary was asked if she would come and work as a typist.

Mary admires Dr. Vogel and Dr. Vogel eventually asks Mary to move into Dr. Vogel’s home. Mary is exposed to the girls in the institution and recognizes Lillian who she remembered from the orphanage. Mary also begins to discover some of the institution’s secrets. How can she help Lillian? Does she need to expose Dr. Vogel? Of course, I kept thinking about my own relative while reading this book. I can’t wait to have my book club read it. There is lots to discuss!

The Foundling by Ann Leary is based on the author's grandmother. The main character, Mary, grew up in an orphanage and is now working under the guidance of an esteemed psychiatrist Agnes Vogel at an asylum in the 1920s. There Mary runs into a childhood friend. Mary is soon questioning what she knows about the asylum. This historical fiction novel has drama, twists, and is pretty intense. Read and enjoy!

I was not very knowledgeable regarding eugenics before reading this novel. I was fascinated by the story and could not stop reading so I could see how it played out.
Many thanks Scribner and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

“I trust you’re familiar with the type of girl I’m referring to,” she tells the audience. “You’ve seen her slinking in and out of bawdy houses and illegal drinking establishments… she may seem normal enough—in fact, she’s often quite pretty. Until you see her again, a few years later, ruined and destitute, begging for handouts, surrounded by her own diseased and illegitimate children.”—Ann Leary, The Foundling.

So says Dr. Agnes Vogel, the administrator of the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. It’s 1927 and eighteen-year-old Mary Engle is hired to work as Dr. Vogel’s secretary at an institution for mentally disabled women. She’s immediately in awe of her employer—brilliant, genteel Dr. Agnes Vogel, who had been the only woman in her medical school class. 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 an inmate. Lillian begs her to help her escape and Mary faces a terrible choice. To whom should she be loyal: her childhood friend or her hero, Dr. Vogel?

The Foundling was inspired by the author’s grandmother, who worked at Laurelton State Village in central Pennsylvania. The concept was to detain, segregate, care for, and train feeble-minded women of childbearing age (between the ages of 16 and 45 years). They warehoused women regarded as problem daughters, troublesome wives, and unwed mothers.

It’s hard to imagine women were institutionalized for being "feebleminded." What does that even mean? Besides abnormal behavior and very low scores on IQ tests, "feeblemindedness" was frequently linked to promiscuity, criminality, and social dependency. They deemed some women to have moral feeblemindedness because they defied social norms or their husbands and were involuntarily held in mental alyssums until they were no longer of childbearing age.

I read historical novels to learn something about the past. The Foundling taught me about eugenics, women’s suffrage, prohibition, and the powerlessness women experienced in the first part of the 20th Century.

The novel is authentic, the characters well drawn, and the book really opened my eyes to an ugly chapter of American history. I supplemented the book with audio but didn’t care for the narration. The Foundling is suspenseful, sometimes thrilling, and has a great ending. 4 stars.

Leary's latest book is one not easily forgotten. Mary Engel becomes a staff member at the Nettleton State Village for Feeble-Minded Women of Child-Bearing Age. The plot is unbelievable and what is more unbelievable is that it is based on a true situation.
It is a terrifying tale with all the elements of a suspenseful read. The subject of eugenics is deftly discussed and exposed. There's intrigue, heartbreak, oppression, love and hate which keeps you turning page after page non-stop.
What emerges from the book is the desperation and doggedness of the characters. It's hard to believe that such places and people existed but the book proves otherwise. The only negative is that some of the characters seem a bit contrived but, still, a fascinating read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

This is a book that I will not soon forget. Mary, Lillian, and Dr. Vogel are three very vivid, complex characters, and their interwoven story, which is based in history, is horrifying and unique in equal parts. This part of American history is not well known, and it should be. What women and children in asylums went through, and in some places still do, shows humanity at it's very worst.

The story has many layers and returns to the questions of genetics, racism, sexism, classism, politics ,and religion throughout the whole book. Leary has bitten off a long, hard list of issues, and she does a good job of interweaving all of them throughout her characters and story.

There are some snags along the way. Mary's rapidly fluctuating opinions and feelings about what is or isn't ethical, acceptable, or moral gets a bit dizzying. She goes from one extreme to the other; Lillian is lying and is insane to Lillian is right and shouldn't be in the asylum. Dr. Vogel is wonderful and amazing to Dr. Vogel could be wrong to Dr. Vogel means well, can all happen in one scene. As Mary is young and naïve, her shifting stances are completely understandable, but they do get tedious after a while. The event that does finally settle her feelings needed a bit more introspection after all that had come before. It felt abrupt.

Leary throws in a lot of red herrings, and while most of them are well-placed and do their part, some of them, especially concerning Mary's love interest, are left too late in the story and then are abruptly solved, which is a bit jarring. It felt like all the 'pieces' fell into place a little too easily.

Overall, I found this a compelling read, and I highly recommend it.

The Foundling
By Ann Leary
Scribner / Marysue Rucci, Books31 May 2022

“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.”


Mary Engle grew up in an orphanage until she was 12 years old, when her father arrived unexpectedly and took her home to live with an aunt. It didn’t turn out to be the best of homecomings, but it was something. She finally had a family, however dysfunctional, and a home.

As an 18-year-old, Mary was thrilled to be working as a secretary for her hero, Dr. Agnes Vogel, at the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age. Mary believed she was helping unfortunate women and admired the doctor for her concern and dedication to the women in her care.

Mary was shocked when she recognized one of the inmates as someone she grew up with at the orphanage. Fear led her to keep the relationship a secret, but it also led her to begin investigating the institution and the women living there. It wasn’t long until Mary realized that not all was as it appeared, both with Dr. Vogel and the institution over which she presided.

Inspired by actual events from author Ann Leary’s family history, The Foundling is a fascinating and depressing look at institutional life in the early 20th century. It’s a fairly fast and engrossing read with insights into the horrors some women faced for not being able or willing to behave as society demanded

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner/Marysue Rucci for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was interesting to me because it was set in Pennsylvania so I recognized some of the locations that were mentioned. I spent half the time wanting to smack the main character over the head since she seemed super naive. I think the characters were well developed and it's something that very well happened in the past. At times it dragged on a bit, but overall was pretty good.

**a warning that some of the terms used seem derogatory, but it's how they talked in that time period. I wasn't offended, but I'm sure some people will be.

I was able to hear the author talk about writing this intriguing new book. It was based on family history, and
a compelling true story. The characters are believable, and the story interesting. I recommended read for
fans of historical fiction

The Foundling a thoughtful and original piece of historical fiction, expands on a snippet of information from Ann Leary's family about a time in the late 1920s when my home state, Pennsylvania, supported Laurelton Village for Feeble Minded women of Childbearing Age." Her grandmother worked there for awhile, right when a US Census placed her there as an employee. The long since debunked, but popular theory of eugenics, relied on to justify wiping out whole classes of people by Adolf Hitler in Germany, held that society could benefit from selective breeding to promote desirable characteristics and from ensuring those with "problematic" characteristics did not procreate. In Germany, that meant Jews, Roma, gay people, Catholics, people with deformities and more.

In the early twentieth century in Pennsylvania, this meant that women who, e.g., were considered intellectually or morally defective, based on IQ tests for some and behavior for others. Women and girls could wind up in such a place for being prostitutes, having children out of wedlock or based on a husband's or parent's word that they were behaving in a manner that met the definition of feeble minded. And, at least in the fictional Nettleton State Village for Feeble Minded Women of Childbearing Age, such women were admitted and could never leave until they were unable to bear children. Dr. Agnes Vogel, a psychiatrist and rare female doctor at the time, runs "the Village." She speaks widely on its mission, ensures that as a working farm and a purveyor of servants to local residents the Village is self-sufficient and she fiercely protects the reputation and acceptability of the Village.

Mary Engle, who lived in an orphanage until age twelve after her mother died, then spent the rest of her youth living with her aunt in Scranton. She has experienced a lot of childhood trauma from experiences with family when outside the orphanage, but generally recalls her time at the orphanage as positive. At 17, she has graduated from secretarial school. Her mentor at the school introduces her to Dr. Vogel and soon, she finds herself working an office job at the Village. When she spots a childhood friend from the orphanage working in the Dairy Barn at the Village, Mary is puzzled. Lillian is an inmate and Mary is surprised Lillian is feeble minded. Vogel's speeches and discussions of her charges have fully won Mary over. Through the course of the novel, we learn about the experiences of those living on the Village property as employees, as inmates and the slippage between high minded morality about the mission of the Village and blatant disregard for even the recognized rights of the many women confined there, e.g. to food, shelter and personal security. We see the outside world evolving on the issue of eugenics, via a muckraker journalist friend to Mary. We recognize, as we often must, that those we trust in powerful positions may use them for ill while others, including people with power, can change, grow and find the right path forward.

Leary is a compelling writer and she creates an engaging story full of interesting characters, giving them challenges to meet or not. This was definitely a couldn't put it down book. Will check out Leary's other work.

Mary and Lillian are two girls that meet and spend their childhood in a Catholic orphanage. Their lives change drastically when they are old enough to leave the orphanage and find jobs.

Mary gets a job as a secretary to a Dr. that supervises a state run facility that basically promotes eugenics by sterilizing women that they do not want to reproduce. The cover for this practice is declaring women mentally unstable or ‘imbeciles’.

During her job at this institution, Mary comes across Lillian who she remembers from her childhood. Mary knows that Lillian is not feeble minded or unstable. She starts to explore the things that actually go on at the institution she works at. Soon she discovers the truth and her conscience forces her to make some decisions that may not only cause her to lose her job but endanger her life as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.