From Field to Furnace (Books 1 and 2)

'"From Field to Furnace" is a riveting and enlightening historical novel. The narrative acquires moral and ethical dimensions as it explores 18th-century England's often brutal justice system. The Bangham family's encounters with the law offer glimpses into the harrowing world of prisoner transportation to America and the desperate plight of its enslaved people, hinting at the nascent anti-slavery movement.
Ultimately, this thought-provoking novel strikes a harmonious balance between historical precision and captivating storytelling, inviting readers to contemplate the past while recognizing the enduring impact of the Industrial Revolution on our modern world.'

Goodreads Review of Part One
I should declare an interest here. I have just finished recording the audiobook version of Coalbrookdale. The project has given me great pleasure. I have never read a novel quite like it, out loud or to myself.

We begin in 1713. For generations the Bangham family have been producing charcoal to fuel the iron furnaces dotted around the Severn Gorge. Living in a squatter's cottage built by grandfather Bangham with his bare hands, they are as rooted to the district as the wood which has come to bear their name. In their close-knit hamlet, never visited by doctor or midwife, the crises of birth and illness are shared with neighbouring families, along with the water pump and the communal hog, spectacularly slaughtered each year.

But the days are numbered for this way of life. Abraham Darby, the pioneering ironmaster, has developed a new way of smelting iron, using coal instead of charcoal. Joe Bangham, the forward-looking eldest son, is not sorry. Realising the market for their charcoal is about to shrink, and hoping to make an escape from a life of drudgery and toil on the land, he strides optimistically across the river to apply for a job at Mr Darby's fledgling ironworks. As he approaches the kindly principled Quaker, he little suspects he is enlisting as one of the first industrial proletariats. He will receive scant reward from the company to which he dedicates his life.

Meanwhile other members of the family, as much by marriage as hard work, ascend the social ladder. Brother Will, a hot-headed adventurer, even makes it across the Atlantic to the New World. Mixed fortunes await the three sisters who go into service up at The Hall, whose villainous under-butler is the catalyst for much of the novel's action.

This is "The Bangham Family Story" and (it is no disparagement to say) reads more like a history book than a novel. Adopting a reportage approach free of literary affectation in which concurrent storylines and diverse themes are effortlessly interwoven, Marilyn Freeman (herself a Bangham) chronicles thirty years to 1743 in one smooth sweep. This family is not a patriarchal organisation held together by authority and obligation so much as a network of love and kindness (and occasional jealousy) which, while it loosens over time, survives the early upheavals of the industrial revolution.

Although based on the author's ancestors, it is a work of fiction, elegantly plotted with some good emotional rollercoastering and a grisly climax. But Freeman maintains an extraordinary level of realism by steadfastly keeping her finger on the pulse of family life. When Joe is put on night shifts, for example, she gives due weight to the resulting disruption to the family's mealtimes. The imaginative recreation of the world of these people lost to history reads as if it were all fact meticulously researched.

A river runs through it. Repeatedly crossed and re-crossed at the Buildwas Bridge for weddings and funerals, bustling with an ever-increasing traffic of cargo vessels as the Darby works expand, sometimes glittering in the sun, occasionally a deadly torrent, the River Severn abides as the representative image of this fast-flowing poignant novel.

Having just read from Field to Furnace by Marilyn Freeman, I found it to be an interesting and well written saga of a family living through the turbulent years of the 18th Century, in and around the Severn Gorge. I was impressed and at times intrigued, by both her understanding and portrayal of a family of hard-working people in such distant times. The family, of meagre means, struggles with hardship and change as the world of industry in the form of ironmaking develops around them, altering their world forever.
Although this is fundamentally the story of a family, often moving and at times, as portrayed by the writer, laced with tragedy, the story is a glimpse of the harsh world of this turbulent century through the eyes of ordinary people, who were moulded by caring for each other and the absolute necessity to survive.
I found this to be an extremely well detailed and written story that would appeal to anyone interested in the effects of the Industrial Revolution and the way it transformed the lives of ordinary working people.

In “From Field to Furnace: The Story of One Family’s Journey into the Industrial Revolution,” author Marilyn Freeman provides a detailed exploration of the diverse experiences and challenges faced by the Bangham family during the transformative years of the Industrial Revolution.

The tranquillity of Bangham’s Wood, named after the original settlers, stands in stark contrast to the constant noise and coal smoke in Dale Coppice. As the iron industry expanded, demand for workers increased, and many men were willing to endure protracted and strenuous shifts for better pay than they could earn in the fields. Consequently, the area surrounding the ironworks began to develop and adapt. More people moved from neighbouring towns to be closer to the Works, making their daily commutes easier. Meanwhile, Bangham’s Wood, once home to many members of the Bangham family, witnessed its inhabitants leaving for opportunities—specifically at the ironworks—further afield.

The intricacies of following an entire family mean that this novel focuses on multiple characters, all of whom are closely related to one another. Some characters stand out above the rest, particularly as they grow from children into adulthood. Each sibling develops their own ideas, and as they do, they begin to drift apart, forging their own destinies. Joe is the first of the siblings to radically change his way of life. He has spent his entire life following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, with no other options considered. The fields need to be worked, and there is the possibility of earning extra money on the side by doing charcoal burning, carefully monitoring the flames to ensure the product comes out as intended. However, with the arrival of Darby Works, the need for charcoal is rapidly declining. Mr Darby was proudly showing the world that charcoal was not a necessity for making iron, and as coal production increased, charcoal started to become redundant. As charcoal begins to lose its relevance, Joe knows he cannot be left behind. The Works are always hiring new workers, and despite the reluctance and disapproval his family may express about him deviating from their traditional ways, Joe is determined to make something of himself. Joe is not an extraordinary character; rather, he is an ordinary man finding his way forward in life as he matures and considers the future he wants to build. Joe is a relatable and likeable character, known for his kindness and deep commitment to his family, despite the long and arduous hours he works.

This novel, much like the Bangham family itself, experiences its fair share of ups and downs. With a large cast of characters, the chances for conflict and turmoil are significantly heightened. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent historical period characterised by rapidly expanding iron production, the residents of small, often overlooked villages struggle with their longstanding hardships. Illnesses ravage the population, and accidents result in injuries that may never fully heal. Funerals occur as frequently as weddings, if not more so, and loss becomes an integral theme in the story, eliciting tears as beloved characters succumb to illnesses or, for the fortunate ones, to old age. The novel carefully portrays the struggles of the lower class, highlighting the looming threat of the poorhouse as families navigate a time of great distress and upheaval.

Spanning several generations and developing every character along the way, this novel encapsulates the lives of an entire extended family. Readers can observe the family’s growth, from an initial set of siblings to an intricate web of relationships. There are many joys to experience, such as first loves turning into marriages and children completing the family cycle. However, the narrative also delves into deep losses and dangerous situations that will chill you to your bones. Joe’s sister, Abigail, introduces an antagonist who believes himself to be above the chaos he creates. James Furlong fathered Abigail’s baby not by her choice, yet he deludes himself into thinking he has done nothing wrong. Furlong is a character who can turn your stomach, as his treatment of the women around him is truly vile. He is a blight on the family, a constant threat lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to cause upheaval and bring devastation to those who would label him a monster. Although Abigail raises her child with love and devotion, the truth behind his conception puts the reader on edge. Furlong is not to be trusted, and even as generations grow and new life replaces the old, he seems to be never too far from the Banghams.

Although the initial generation controls the narrative for most of this novel, the baton eventually passes to their children as they grow up and face the same crossroads that Joe encountered when he first joined the Darby Works. Parents age, and children mature, forming their own opinions and ideals. The advice of parents becomes irrelevant, and as the extensive network of cousins begins to carve out their own paths, the Bangham family finds itself more spread out than ever before. In particular, Walter takes over the narrative, as his choices lead him down an irreversible path, with the harsh judgment of the court determining his future. With so many siblings and cousins, their early decisions shape the course of their lives forever, leading the Bangham family to have a member in every walk of life. Some have risen from the ashes of poverty. Others have found themselves falling back into hardship. Regardless of their circumstances, the family unites. They celebrate the successful and support those who have stumbled. The Bangham family is intricately connected, creating a story of hope, inspiration, and deep-rooted family loyalty.

The cast of this novel is extensive, and while each character is skilfully crafted and thoughtfully placed in the vibrant world of the story, it can be challenging to keep track of them all. Family names are passed down from mother to daughter and father to son, and with many characters sharing the same first names, the complexities of the family relationships can become confusing. However, once you fully immerse yourself in the novel, the narrative begins to captivate you, making it easier to follow the various threads that are intricately woven together in this complex tapestry of family dynamics.

“From Field to Furnace: The Story of One Family’s Journey into the Industrial Revolution” by Marilyn Freeman is a meticulously crafted novel that explores the evolution of a family amidst the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution. With a rich array of characters that readers will come to love, the novel offers deep insights into various aspects of life while maintaining an engaging narrative. It captivates readers’ attention from beginning to end, successfully weaving an epic saga that follows the family’s growth and adaptation alongside the revolutionary changes occurring in the world around them.