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.

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.

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.

Mysterious / Gritty / Contemplative / Emotional / Unnerving

**Mary Engle**  
The narrator and protagonist, Mary is a former orphan who grows from a lonely girl into an empowered woman; she works at Nettleton State Village and ultimately challenges the injustices she witnesses there.

**Dr. Agnes Vogel**  
The superintendent at Nettleton, Dr. Vogel is a well-connected psychiatrist with complex motivations who embodies the conflicting ideals of early feminist movements and engages in controversial practices.

**Lillian Faust**  
Mary's childhood friend and a central figure in her life journey, Lillian is an inmate at Nettleton with a complicated past, and her presence drives much of Mary's personal growth.

**Jake Enright**  
A journalist and Mary's romantic partner, Jake plays a crucial role in uncovering the corruption at Nettleton and supports Mary in her quest for justice.

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