The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls

Melanie | Howell High School, Grade 11

Rating: ****

It’s the 1750’s in London when Bess Bright gives birth to her child, then is forced to give her up. The Foundling Hospital is where the children of parents who cannot afford them stay until they can be reclaimed later on go. Bess thinks she has it all figured out with her carefully articulated plan to get her daughter back but, six years later when Bess goes to do what she has been waiting for all this time, she is told it is not possible. Bess had been saving her wages for years just to get to the hospital to be told that her daughter Clara, was already claimed. By Bess herself. She knows there has to be some mistake because that is just absurd. She works tirelessly until she can get to the bottom of whatever it is that stole her daughter from her.

On the other hand, the novel is told from another Londoner named Alexandra Callard. She is a widow and lives the complete opposite life from Bess. Alexandra has servants, doesn’t work and lives without a care in the world about money. Bess is a shrimp vendor fighting to keep her small apartment and have food on the table. Yet, the two are connected by Bess’ daughter, neither of them knowing about the other. Until, the untold truths of Alexandra's late husband and terrible secrets from six years ago are revealed. The novel is absolutely fascinating to see the lengths people go for family and what it truly means to love someone. The time period and societal expectations also made the story even more intriguing to see how things happen in this kind of society. Toward the middle of the book, the story took so many unexpected turns I couldn’t put it down. Bess’ journey to get back Clara was nerve wracking and exciting to read about. The ending was truly heartwarming. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fictional story, especially about family. Definitely a great read!