The Real Oliver Twist: Robert Blincoe: A Life that Illuminates a Violent Age by John WallerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It became very apparent, very soon, that this book was going to be about much more than Robert Blincoe’s life. He is indeed the subject at the centre of the book but there is also much in it about the history of the social conditions endured by the workers during the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Waller concentrates mainly on the north of England and the children effectively enslaved as “apprentices” to masters who owned the very many mills of the time. There are comprehensive notes and a full bibliography for a reader’s further reference if required and a great amount of the book’s narrative informs readers about the prevailing political approaches to the growing wealth of the country. Indeed it becomes clear that profit and growth were most commonly thought to be at the forefront of the aims and objectives of the politicians of the 19th and 18th centuries. This gave the entrepreneurs free licence to support or ignore some of the inhuman and barbaric practices taking place in their factories and mills, both large and small businesses.
While taking into account many of the intricate and complicated academic details contained in Waller’s book, I also found it impossible not to gasp and wipe away an occasional tear when learning of some of the horrific injuries inflicted, through cruel treatment from overseers, upon young Blincoe and other child workers. It becomes apparent further into the book that Robert Blincoe had a determined and indomitable spirit that was quite rare amongst his kind. He achieved some success in his business life and eventually in his social standing. This is also reflected through the ambitions and outstanding advancement of his son, a reputable clergyman, also called Robert. This very readable book is completely engrossing and highly recommended to anyone interested in history and/or stories of triumph over disadvantage.
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