Set in the heart of the Industrial Revolution, "Manchester Man" by Isabella Varley Banks weaves a captivating tale of Jabez Clegg, a man who rises from humble beginnings to commercial success. Against the backdrop of Manchester's booming industries, the novel explores the rivalry between Jabez and Laurence Aspinall, as well as the complex love triangle involving Augusta Ashton, who is torn between the two men. While offering an entertaining journey through Manchester's early 19th-century history, the book also delves into pressing issues such as domestic violence and the societal constraints faced by women.