Son Philip

"Son Philip" by George Manville Fenn is a novel set in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around Philip Hexton, the son of a mine owner, who is determined to improve safety in coal mining through his knowledge and dedication to the profession of pit oversight. The book explores themes of courage, responsibility, and the clash between traditional practices and modern safety measures in the mining industry. The story follows Philip as he faces considerable opposition from the miners who resent his authoritative approach and resistance to dangerous practices, such as smoking in the mine. Throughout this struggle, Philip demonstrates a deep sense of duty towards the safety of the mineworkers, even at great personal risk. He confronts various challenges, including a confrontation with the aggressive miner Ebenezer Parks. The climax unfolds when Parks attempts to sabotage the mine, leading to a serious flooding incident. In the aftermath, Philip's efforts are recognized as he transforms the mine into one of the safest working environments in the industry, solidifying his commitment to saving lives. The narrative highlights Philip's journey from a boy eager to please his parents to a respected overseer devoted to improving the lives of his fellow workers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Manville Fenn was a prolific English novelist, journalist, editor and educationalist. Many of his novels were written with young adults in mind. His final book was his biography of a fellow writer for juveniles, George Alfred Henty.