The Nether World
by George Gissing
"The Nether World" is a singular by George Gissing that gives a stark portrayal of the tough realities confronted with the aid of the working-class in Victorian London. The novel delves into the lives of numerous characters dwelling inside the impoverished neighborhoods of London, highlighting the struggles of poverty, social inequality, and ethical decay. Set against the backdrop of industrialization and urban squalor, "The Nether World" follows the intertwined destinies of people striving to escape the grip of destitution and depression. Through characters like Clara Hewett, a younger girl burdened by family duties, and Sidney Kirkwood, a running-magnificence guy navigating the perils of poverty and ambition, Gissing explores topics of class war, city blight, and the fragility of human relationships. As the characters navigate the bleak realities of their environment, Gissing paints a gritty and realistic portrait of Victorian society, exposing the disparities among the privileged and the marginalized. Through his brilliant prose and social observation, Gissing sheds mild on the ethical dilemmas and social injustices prevalent in a swiftly changing city panorama.
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Author Biography
Gissing was born on November 22, 1857, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, the eldest of five children to Thomas Waller Gissing, a chemist, and Margaret. His siblings included William, who died at the age of twenty, Algernon, who later became a writer, Margaret, and Ellen. The Gissing Trust maintains his childhood house in Thompson's Yard, Wakefield. Gissing attended Back Lane School in Wakefield, where he excelled academically. His real interest in reading began when he was ten years old, when he read Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop, and it expanded over time, thanks to his father's encouragement and the family library. Juvenilia written at this time was published in 1995 as The Poetry of George Gissing. After returning to England, Gissing and Nell lived in London, where he wrote novels and worked as a private instructor. When his debut novel, Workers in the Dawn, was rejected by a publisher, he self-published it using funds from an inheritance. Gissing married Nell on October 27, 1879. Their marriage was marred by poverty, and they were frequently separated while Nell was in the hospital due to ill health. Morley Roberts, a fellow novelist and Owens College alumni, published The Private Life of Henry Maitland, a novel inspired by Gissing's life, in 1912. He was acquaintances with Eduard Bertz, a German socialist whom he met in 1879.
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