Derval Hampton: A Story of the Sea, Volume 1 (of 2)

A coastal household drama follows a young boy who suffers emotional neglect and harsh treatment from his stepmother while his father becomes consumed by hopes of social advancement and land. The child finds solace in the seaside, the churchyard, a loyal servant, and a kindly curate, but repeated exclusion and punishment deepen his sense of loss. Family priorities shift further with the arrival of a new infant heir, and the father's changing fortunes and ambitions reshape domestic life. The opening sections trace the boy's private grief, his longing for the sea, and the domestic pressures that push him toward separation from home and future trials.