
In the mist‑laden streets of Victorian Liverpool, a brother and sister cling to each other for warmth and hope. Nine‑year‑old Nelly waits anxiously for Benny, her older sibling, as the town’s clock chimes and the cold drifts deeper around the shadow of St. George’s Church. Their lives unfold in a cramped hut shared with other street folk, each day a struggle to find food, shelter and a sliver of dignity amid the bustling crowds who pass them by.
Through vivid scenes of foggy alleys and bustling markets, the narrative paints a compassionate portrait of children forced into adult roles by poverty and neglect. Their gentle bond offers a rare glimpse of tenderness in a world of hardship, inviting listeners to feel the ache of hunger, the sting of cold, and the quiet resilience that keeps them moving forward. The story captures the raw reality of street life while hinting at the small acts of kindness that may yet alter their fate.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (342K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Clare Graham and Marc D'Hooghe (From images generously made available by Europeana and the Bodleian Library of Oxford.) "This etext edition of 'Her Benny' is dedicated to the memory of Edgar, John and Kenneth Graham - three brothers from Liverpool who made good."
Release date
2013-07-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1850–1935
A Cornish storyteller and Methodist preacher, he wrote hugely popular novels that mixed lively plots with strong moral purpose. His books reached a mass audience in Britain and beyond, making him one of the best-known popular novelists of his day.
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