Dusty Diamonds Cut and Polished: A Tale of City Arab Life and Adventure

"Dusty Diamonds Cut and Polished: A Tale of City Arab Life and Adventure" by R.M. Ballantyne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story delves into the lives of two homeless boys in London's East End, focusing on their struggles and adventures as they transition from street life to new beginnings in Canada. It also presents the challenges faced by their mother, depicting themes of poverty, resilience, and the impact of societal issues on family dynamics. The opening of the book introduces us to two interwoven narratives. One follows a little girl named Diana and a street boy named Bobby Frog, whose lives collide when Diana's pony escapes, injuring Bobby in the process. While Bobby is taken care of after the accident, we also glimpse the bleak existence of his family, reflecting on domestic violence and social neglect. The narrative sets the stage for the exploration of class disparity as Sir Richard Brandon, Diana's father, grapples with his disdain for the less fortunate while gradually revealing a more compassionate side through his interactions with Bobby and his family. This engaging beginning hints at themes of friendship, kindness, and the potential for redemption in the face of adversity. (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.