Bluecoat Press

Description

Silas K Hocking (1850 – 1931) was a Cornish-born Methodist minister who started writing whilst living in Liverpool in 1878. Her Benny, his second book, propelled him to national fame and became the first book to sell a million copies during an author’s lifetime.

Set on the western side of Scotland Road, the novel is based on two children, Little Nell and Benny Bates, who are forced to sell matches and carry bags on the streets to support their drunken father. After one particularly severe beating, they run away and are sheltered by their faithful friend, Joe Wragg, a nightwatchman until one fateful night …