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A review by buddhafish
The Nether World by George Gissing
4.0
14th book of 2023.
3.5. This is what I wanted from Dickens's Hard Times, funnily enough. In fact, this novel could easily be called Hard Times and not The Nether World. Gissing's chosen title sits more in line with some Dantean vision of those who struggled in late Victorian England to work and support their families. The novel surrounds a number of characters all entwined with one another, all of them trying to make their way in life. I found numerous plot points modern almost and ahead of their time. Gissing writes well, his prose is sturdy and readable. Some of the internal monologues the characters have were brilliant and I found myself highlighting them, particularly that of Clara, who leaves home with the dream of becoming an actress. That being said, the novel is bleak from start to finish and the sense of ruin and desperation reaches the final page. It's hard to see even a glimmer of hope in Gissing's Zola-like world of realism and poverty. I read this for a book club so will hopefully add more thoughts to this review once we've had our discussions. A surprisingly good first read by Gissing for me.
3.5. This is what I wanted from Dickens's Hard Times, funnily enough. In fact, this novel could easily be called Hard Times and not The Nether World. Gissing's chosen title sits more in line with some Dantean vision of those who struggled in late Victorian England to work and support their families. The novel surrounds a number of characters all entwined with one another, all of them trying to make their way in life. I found numerous plot points modern almost and ahead of their time. Gissing writes well, his prose is sturdy and readable. Some of the internal monologues the characters have were brilliant and I found myself highlighting them, particularly that of Clara, who leaves home with the dream of becoming an actress. That being said, the novel is bleak from start to finish and the sense of ruin and desperation reaches the final page. It's hard to see even a glimmer of hope in Gissing's Zola-like world of realism and poverty. I read this for a book club so will hopefully add more thoughts to this review once we've had our discussions. A surprisingly good first read by Gissing for me.