The Family Set in the mid-nineteenth century, The Family tells the intertwining story of a family in London, giving us close insights into the lives of men and women caught up in the Industrial Revolution. Each of the four children-Ward, Broderick, Jack and Clara-are swept along by the forces of change. The effects of social upheaval engulfing them extend far beyond the shores of England, at that time, the most powerful country on earth. The rapid development of transportation brought new freedom to every level of society, as the people in this riveting tale demonstrate. New horizons bring new opportunities to each.
The exotic locales of Singapore, the perils and profits of the opium trade from India to China and the arrogance and biases of the traders heighten the differences between the cultures of Asia and the West. Ethics, both personal and national, are tested on all sides and the character of each of the men and women in the story evolve.
Many freedoms and luxuries taken for granted today were marvels of the time then: cheap railroad travel, which allowed middle and lower classes to go beyond their town or city for the first time in history; books became readily available and working men and women could easily obtain them through the development of lending libraries; musical talents were encouraged among all classes for the first time-choral societies and bands sprang up everywhere. Change, exciting change, was underway!
