That Boy of Norcott's

"That Boy of Norcott's" by Charles James Lever is a 19th-century novel that starts with a heated custody battle in Dublin where young Digby Norcott's future hangs in the balance as his separated parents fight over him, highlighting themes of social class and who has the right to raise a child. The story explores identity, how families work, and how a person grows up and how it affects how it turns out. The book kicks off with a big trial, where Digby's mother is trying to get her son back from Sir Roger Norcott, his father, and the result of the trial shakes up Digby's world, as he goes from living with his dad, who's known for being over-the-top and kind of wild, to his mom, who's all about different values and a quieter life. This beginning part dives into the problems of a family falling apart, how Digby deals with his mom and dad, and how he tries to handle his new way of life. As he starts to figure things out, readers are curious to see how all of this will change him as he goes through life and tries to figure out who he is.