'Cliff-Dwellers' Summary

The novel opens with a description of the bustling streets of Chicago, where the "streams of commerce have worn many a deep and rugged chasm." The city is a place of both great opportunity and great danger, and the Cliffs must learn to navigate its treacherous waters if they want to survive. The family's patriarch, George Cliff, is a successful businessman who is determined to make his fortune in the city. His wife, Sarah, is a kind and gentle woman who is devoted to her family. Their children, Harry and Lucy, are both bright and ambitious, but they are also naive and inexperienced. As the Cliffs adjust to their new life in the city, they are confronted with a variety of challenges. George's business dealings are often shady, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make a profit. Sarah is struggling to cope with the demands of city life, and she is increasingly isolated from her family. Harry and Lucy are both drawn to the city's nightlife, and they soon find themselves involved in dangerous situations. Despite these challenges, the Cliffs are determined to make a better life for themselves. George eventually finds success in business, and Sarah finds solace in her faith. Harry and Lucy both learn to navigate the city's dangers, and they eventually find their own paths to happiness. Cliff-Dwellers is a powerful and moving novel that explores the complex social and economic changes taking place in America in the late 19th century. The novel is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and to find hope in even the darkest of times.