The Paying Guest

The Paying Guest is a novel by the English author George Gissing, first published in 1895. The story is set in London in the late Victorian era and revolves around the lives of two middle-aged siblings, the Barretts, who are forced to take in a paying guest to make ends meet. The guest, Mr. Leonard, is a young and attractive man who soon becomes the object of desire for both siblings, leading to a complex web of emotions and tensions.As the story unfolds, the Barretts' financial struggles and their dependence on Mr. Leonard become increasingly apparent. Meanwhile, Mr. Leonard's own past and motivations are slowly revealed, adding another layer of intrigue to the plot. The novel explores themes of love, jealousy, class, and morality, as the characters navigate their way through the complexities of their relationships and society.Gissing's writing is known for its realism and social commentary, and The Paying Guest is no exception. The novel offers a vivid portrayal of life in Victorian London, with its stark class divisions and rigid social norms. Through the characters' experiences, Gissing exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay of the upper classes, while also highlighting the struggles of the working poor.Overall, The Paying Guest is a compelling and thought-provoking work of fiction, offering a nuanced examination of human nature and society in the late nineteenth century.At breakfast her behaviour was marked with excessive decorum. To the ordinary civilities of her host and hostess she replied softly, modestly, in the manner of a very young and timid girl; save when addressed, she kept silence, and sat with head inclined; a virginal freshness breathed about her; she ate very little, and that without her usual gusto, but rather as if performing a dainty ceremony. Her eyes never moved in Mumford's direction.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.