The Thorogood Family

"The Thorogood Family" by R. M. Ballantyne is a fictional work written in the mid-19th century. The story centers around the Thorogood family, particularly focusing on their lively and robust blacksmith father and his six children, capturing their adventures and aspirations as they grow up. The narrative promises a mix of humor, morality, and family dynamics, intertwined with various tales of bravery and virtue. The opening of the book introduces the strong family bond within the Thorogood household, where the blacksmith, John Thorogood, instills values of hard work and integrity in his children. The lively dynamic is showcased through playful interactions among the five sons and their sister, Molly, illustrating their personalities and interests. While the siblings ponder their future ambitions, the narrative hints at their ultimate paths—encompassing roles as a missionary, a soldier, and even a rescuer in various thrilling situations. The stage is set for a series of interconnected stories that seem to explore themes of bravery, service, and family love as they navigate life’s challenges. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Michael Ballantyne was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction, who wrote more than a hundred books. He was also an accomplished artist: he exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy.