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Title details for The Odd Women by George Gissing - Available

The Odd Women

by George Gissing
Geoffrey Giuliano
Audiobook
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Before he was 21 George Gissing conceived the ambition of writing a long series of novels, somewhat in the manner of Balzac, whom he admired. The first of these, Workers in the Dawn, appeared in 1880, to be followed by 21 others. Between 1886 and 1895 he published one or more novels every year. He also wrote Charles Dickens: A Critical Study (1898), a perceptive piece of literary criticism.
Gissing's work has a good deal of documentary interest for its detailed and accurate accounts of lower-middle-class London life. On the social position and psychology of women, he is particularly acute: The Odd Women is a powerful study of female frustration. He did not lack human sympathies, but his obvious contempt for so many of his characters reflects an artistic limitation. Gissing was deeply critical, in an almost wholly negative way, of contemporary society. Of his novels, New Grub Street, considered by some critics to be his only great book, is unique in its merciless analysis of the compromises required by the literary life.
Gissing's 1893 novel takes on the 19th century "Woman Question" by looking at themes of feminism, marriage, and love. The novel raises these issues through the lives of several contrasting women: Mary Barfoot, a feminist philanthropist who helps train women for careers; her close friend Rhoda Nunn, who believes marriage is a disastrous choice for women; and Monica Madden, who starts out as one of their protegees but chooses to marry a seemingly kind older man. As Monica experiences the challenges of married life, Rhoda finds herself drawn to Mary's cousin, the charming but apparently profligate Everard

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 26, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781667963761
      • File size: 408370 KB
      • Duration: 14:10:46

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      When it comes to performing a wide variety of audiobooks, Juliet Stevenson is an expert. Her lovely clipped accent and fervent delivery typically bring all types of complex stories to life. This title is no exception, for Stevenson's rich voice and compassionate tones animate the text nicely. Somewhat less appealing is the story itself; this 1893 novel explores timeless themes of social constraints and feminism, but these themes have been more compellingly addressed in other novels of the period. This plot featuring the Madden sisters and their romantic intrigues is often difficult to follow and lacking in relatable characters. However, Stevenson offers an excellent narration, and listeners will certainly enjoy her vocal agility and lively style. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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