Hazelhurst

by Enid Leigh Hunt

"Hazelhurst" by Enid Leigh Hunt is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the Le Mesurier family, particularly focusing on the last-born child, Hazel, as she navigates through significant changes and challenges following the death of her father and the resulting financial struggles of the family. The narrative explores themes of class, identity, and the resilience of love and familial bonds during hard times. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the Le Mesurier family dynamic and their once-grand estate, Hazelhurst, now reduced to echoing emptiness after the father's death. The narrative conveys Hazel's deep connection to her home and her struggle with the family's financial woes. She longs to help support her grieving mother, who is tormented by the loss of her husband, while her brothers are similarly trying to find their place in a world of reduced circumstances. The opening chapters establish Hazel as a thoughtful and empathetic character, determined to seek ways to earn money and contribute to her family's well-being despite her youth and the changing social landscape surrounding them.