Brought Home

"Brought Home" by Hesba Stretton is a novel likely composed during the late 19th century. The narrative centers around the lives of David and Sophy Chantrey, a clergyman and his wife, who face significant challenges stemming from Sophy's battle with addiction and her subsequent tragic decline. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the societal views of sin, as well as the profound impact these issues have on their family and community. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the tranquil market town of Upton, setting the stage for the drama that will unfold. David Chantrey, the local rector, is compelled to leave for Madeira for health reasons, necessitating a difficult separation from Sophy and their son, Charlie. As David struggles with the financial implications of his absence and the worries about his family’s wellbeing, Sophy is left in the care of her wealthy but domineering aunt, Mrs. Bolton. The opening chapters delve into the contrasts between the peaceful environment of Upton and the internal turmoil of the characters, particularly Sophy's growing sense of isolation and despair—a theme that foreshadows her later struggles with dependency. Through Sophy’s character, the narrative begins to explore the complexities of addiction and the support and judgment of those around her, setting the stage for a profound examination of personal and societal challenges as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hesba Stretton was the pseudonym of Sarah Smith, an evangelical English author of religious books for children. These were highly popular. By the late 19th century Jessica's First Prayer had sold a million and a half copies – ten times more than Alice in Wonderland. She concocted "Hesba Stretton" from the initials of herself and four surviving siblings, along with the name of a Shropshire village she visited, All Stretton, where her sister Anne owned a house, Caradoc Lodge.