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The Paying Guest

George Gissing

Book Overview: 

George Gissing was one of the most accomplished writers of realism in the Victorian Era. Also The Paying Guest is a great example of realism, which closely pictures the class struggles of the time. The Novel opens at the breakfast table of the Mumfords, when Mr. Mumford draws the attention of his wife to an advertisement in the newspaper of a young lady searching a home with a respectable, well-connected family in London. After some consideration, the Mumfords decide to answer to the advertisement, and a few weeks later, Miss Derrick moves in with them. Tensions are inevitable.

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .d she would remain with them for a year or two at least. But already Louise had dropped hints such as Emmeline could not fail to understand, and her avowal of serious interest in a lover came rather as an annoyance than a surprise to Mrs. Mumford.

It was a hot afternoon, and they had tea brought out into the garden, under the rustling leaves of the chestnut.

'You don't know anyone else at Sutton except Mrs. Fentiman?' said Louise, as she leaned back in the wicker chair.

'Not intimately. But some of our friends from London will be coming on Sunday. I've asked four people to lunch.'

'How jolly! Of course you'll tell me all about them before then. But I want to talk about Mr. Cobb. Please, two lumps of sugar. I've known him for about a year and a half. We seem quite old friends, and he writes to me; I don't answer the letters, unless there's something to say. To tell the truth, I don't like him.'

'How can that. . . Read More

Community Reviews

I had never read anything by George Gissing, but had heard good things. Now I know why!

I really enjoyed this story of a young married couple trying to come up with a little extra income, deciding to rent one of their rooms to a "paying guest." And therein lies the crux of the story, and what a stor

The Paying Guest

The still underappreciated novelist George Gissing (1857 - 1903) is best known for his books cast in the three-volume Victorian mold, such as "New Grub Street". Gissing's books explore themes of class structure, commercialism, love, and failure. In 1895, Gissing temporarily abandoned

Strange to notice that Gissing seems still read and appreciated in English-speaking countries (10 reviews as I write this one, good ratings), while he is largely unknown in France, although he lived and finally died in France, the country I live in.
"The Paying Guest" is Victorian at heart, but rathe

A rising middle class suburban British family takes in a young woman of a distinctly different background in order to secure a supplemental income.
The effects of class and money on human relations brings chaos to the household. The humor of the book results from the awkwardness of snobbery and atte

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