'Handloom weaver Henry Wakefield, his wife Sarah and their five children live in abject poverty in northern England in the early 19th century. He hates the new factories and won’t let his family work in them. He clashes with Sarah, a factory agent, a local priest and reformers, and son Albert runs away. They move to Manchester and are even worse off, living in a cellar in a terrace and have another little mouth to feed.
'Henry’s passion for money overrides his hatred of factories and he starts one of his own, but it is beset with problems. The Wakefields, or rather Henry eventually becomes quite wealthy, and this has a devastating effect on the family. Albert is caught stealing and is transported to New South Wales. Her baby’s death, Albert’s unknown fate and society parties become too much for Sarah, who hears voices and is taken to the lunatic asylum. Son Benjamin falls in love with an orphan girl and they have a baby. Henry is furious.
'Family members have had enough. Sarah, who got out of the asylum, and Albert, who returned to England unbeknown to Henry, plan a fiery night at Henry’s factory. But he keeps his money there and goes inside to retrieve it. Albert tries to rescue him. ' (Publication summary)
