First of all I must say I love the front cover of this book, it reminds me of a William Morris design.
The book is set in London, it starts in November 1747, and Bess has just given birth to a baby daughter that very day. Unfortunately she has to give her up and takes her to a hospital for abandoned babies, she is given a number and she has to leave a token so that if she goes back to claim her she has proof which child is hers. Her baby is recorded as number 627. Unfortunately when she does return a few years later, she discovers to her dismay that her child is no longer there, its not that she has died but she apparently has been claimed by Bess herself the day after she left her there. Bess is horrified, she knows it wasn't her who claimed her and this starts a journey to find out who did and why. Who was it and why would someone want her child?
This book will appeal to fans of historical fiction and gives a good insight into conditions for that era. It's interesting to see that there is a Foundling Museum in London which would give even more insight to the plight of many women and children in those years.
The book is set in London, it starts in November 1747, and Bess has just given birth to a baby daughter that very day. Unfortunately she has to give her up and takes her to a hospital for abandoned babies, she is given a number and she has to leave a token so that if she goes back to claim her she has proof which child is hers. Her baby is recorded as number 627. Unfortunately when she does return a few years later, she discovers to her dismay that her child is no longer there, its not that she has died but she apparently has been claimed by Bess herself the day after she left her there. Bess is horrified, she knows it wasn't her who claimed her and this starts a journey to find out who did and why. Who was it and why would someone want her child?
This book will appeal to fans of historical fiction and gives a good insight into conditions for that era. It's interesting to see that there is a Foundling Museum in London which would give even more insight to the plight of many women and children in those years.