The Young O'Briens: Being an Account of Their Sojourn in London

by Margaret Westrup

"The Young O'Briens: Being an Account of Their Sojourn in London" by Margaret Westrup is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story centers around the O'Brien family, particularly the children—Nell, Denis, and the youngest, Sheila Pat—as they face the challenges of relocating to London due to their father's new job as a ship's surgeon. The narrative explores themes of family, displacement, and the adaptation to a new environment. At the start of the narrative, the O'Brien family is introduced traveling in an omnibus through a dismal London night, filled with rain and uncertainty as they prepare for a year-long separation from their home in Ireland. The opening reveals the children's mixed emotions surrounding their relocation, particularly focusing on Nell's internal struggles as she grapples with the loss of their home and the impending separation from their parents. It establishes a tone of bittersweet nostalgia and apprehension, setting the stage for the family's journey through the challenges presented by their new life in London.