Résultats de "George Gissing" dans Toutes les catégories

Discover the essence of the crown of life with Piers and Irene as they embark on a captivating journey of self-discovery and romance. This novel weaves together a coming-of-age tale with a heartfelt love story, sure to spark engaging debates among philosophers regarding imperialism, enchant romantics with its lengthy courtship, and intrigue sociologists with George Gissings vivid portrayal of the society he inhabited. Join us as we delve into a world rich with conversation and reflection. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

Step into the vibrant world of Town Traveller, where a British salesman navigates life in a working-class neighborhood of Victorian London. Through his lively interactions with neighbors, the story paints a vivid picture of personal exchanges, bustling street scenes, and the unique practices of the era. With a lighthearted tone and fast-paced action, this tale offers a delightful glimpse into the everyday lives of its characters, who may not be overly complex but are certainly memorable. (Arnold Banner)

Published two years after Gissings passing, this captivating novel follows the journey of Will Warburton, a man who faces the harsh realities of life after losing his fortune in a failed business venture. Forced to adapt to his new role as a grocer, Will grapples with themes of acceptance, love, and the intricate relationship between money and social status. Join Will as he navigates the challenges of his new existence, discovering what truly matters in life. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

In Our Friend The Charlatan, follow Dice Lashmore on his relentless pursuit of wealth through the art of courtship. With his sights set on marrying a wealthy woman, Dices journey unveils not only his many romantic endeavors but also the moral compromises he makes along the way. This thought-provoking narrative delves into the complexities of modern values, questioning whether the ideals of feminism and personal choice truly resonate with everyone. As Dice navigates love, ambition, and societal expectations, we are left to ponder the consequences of a single-minded quest for riches. - Summary ...

This poignant social novel delves into the complex relationship between wealth and morality. Michael returns to London from Australia, now a wealthy man, yet he chooses to keep his fortune a secret, spending only on lifes essentials. As he considers leaving his wealth to his granddaughter Jane with the stipulation that she donate a significant portion to charity, Jane grapples with the weight of his expectations. Set against the backdrop of 19th century London, this narrative explores the intricacies of working-class life and the struggles of conscience in the face of financial gain. (Summary ...

In Lifes Morning, we follow the poignant journey of Emily Hood, a young governess from humble beginnings. While working for a wealthy family, Emily finds herself falling deeply in love with Wilfrid Athel, her employers son. Their engagement seems promising, but after a visit to her parents, unforeseen challenges arise that force Emily to confront a heart-wrenching choice. Will love prevail, or will duty lead her down a different path? (Summary by Michele Eaton)

In Thyrza, we follow the life of a working-class woman who finds herself the object of affection for three very different men. Though she is engaged to a kind-hearted man from her own social class, her heart begins to lean towards a wealthy Oxford student who is grappling with his own uncertain future. As their love story unfolds, the journey to happiness becomes anything but straightforward. - Summary by Stav Nisser.

In Italy, the possibilities are endless—far more enticing than the stifling confines of the Victorian era. Follow a group of British expatriates as they embark on a journey through this enchanting land, where they indulge in experiences that may lead to either cherished memories or deep regrets. This captivating tale explores their adventures and the quest for personal identity. The central question looms can one truly achieve complete freedom? And if so, what sacrifices must one make? (Stav Nisser.)

Step into the Jubilee, a pivotal moment marking the fiftieth year of Queen Victorias reign. With a Dickensian flair, this narrative unravels the intricate tapestry of London life, exposing the stark realities and struggles of the lower-middle class at the close of the 19th century. (Introduction by S. Kovalchik)

Join Clarence and Emmeline Mumford as they welcome the spirited Miss Louise Derrick into their home, setting the stage for a captivating exploration of class struggles in the Victorian era. The Paying Guest delves into the expectations of proper society and the complexities that arise when social norms are challenged. (Summary by Amanda Friday)

One of the most oft-used themes for an author to explore is that of themselves and how they see authors in stories coping with everything around them.

Old Michael Snowdon returns to London with an inheritance that he determines should go towards helping the poor—but goodness and charity are not to play a part here. Everyone has an agenda, and scheming spreads through the story like a disease. Gissing’s own experience of London as an outsider in a vast city that both fascinated and appalled him gave him the tools and the drive to create a visceral sense of place. Life is unremittingly grim for just about everyone, from the weak and well-intentioned Jane to the coarse, cunning Clem Peckover and her feckless rival Pennyloaf Candy.

First published in 1893, ‘The Odd Women’ by Victorian author George Gissing revolves around the themes of feminism, marriage, and love through the lives of several contrasting women. The ‘odd’ of the title refers to the fact that in Victorian Britain there were more men than women, and many women therefore found themselves surplus. Mary Barfoot is one of these surplus women - a feminist philanthropist, she is training women to have careers of their own.

The Jubilee marks the fiftieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria. Dickensian in its sweeping scope of London life, Gissing’s "In the Year of the Jubilee" (1834) depicts the harsh and disreputable conditions of lower-middle class life at the end of the 19th century. Originally titled "Miss Lord of Camberwell," the novel depicts the adventures of suburban Nancy Lord and an exploration of South London.

Set in the literary and journalistic buzz of late 19th-century London, New Grub Street depicts a world that George Gissing knew inside out. Elements of his own experience are diffused in different characters – in particular the struggling, talented Edwin Reardon and the young, "modern" Jasper Milvain – through which he explores the sense of crisis for writers at the time: the gulf between aesthetic integrity and commercial success. It was the first major novel to place the concept of authorship at the heart of the plot.

The story deals with the literary world that Gissing himself had experienced. Its title refers to the London street, Grub Street, which in the 18th century became synonymous with hack literature; by Gissing's time, Grub Street itself no longer existed, though hack-writing certainly did. Its two central characters are a sharply contrasted pair of writers: Edwin Reardon, a novelist of some talent but limited commercial prospects, and a shy, cerebral man; and Jasper Milvain, a young journalist, hard-working and capable of generosity.

George Gissing’s 1893 gripping novel The Odd Women explores themes like the role of women in society, marriage, morals, and the nascent feminist movement. Set in London, Gissing's women range from the independent free-thinker Rhoda Nunn and the idealistic Mary Barfoot to the Madden sisters who struggle to make a living. The characters make their choices - some traditional and some bravely non-traditional, in two main plot lines. A remarkable late Victorian narrative, The Odd Women chronicles the shifting roles of women in a changing society in a most arresting way.

New Grub Street (1891) has the reputation of being George Gissing's finest novel. With bitter humour and grim realism, it tells the story of the ambitions, dreams, and disappointments of men and women struggling to earn their living as writers in the closing years of the Victorian era. Jasper Milvain is a young writer of limited talent, eager to exploit every opportunity and social connection in order to make his way. For those who toil "in the valley of the shadow of books" the spectre of poverty looms large.

One of the greatest novels to have come from the 19th century, a realistic, gritty exposure of the lives, loves, intrigue and rivalry that existed in the literary world of London. The art form and culture of writing is becoming a business, expanding rapidly, and profit is more important than integrity of purpose.

Out of a life of poverty and turmoil, Gissing wrote this idyllic fantasy of comfort and good books amid the English countryside. The book is divided into four "seasons", each depicting the narrator's reflections on that period of his life. A charming book with some timely insights!