New Grub Street

"New Grub Street" by George Gissing is a book set in the late 1800s, concerning the tough lives of writers in London. The story follows a group of writers facing challenges in the literary world, mainly Jasper Milvain, who uses a practical method in his literary career. The book explores themes of honesty in art, money problems, and complicated relationships between people trying to make it in the tough world of writing. Early in the story, we meet the Milvain family at breakfast; Jasper is shown as a cynical character, and he shares news of a hanging in London, creating a dark and ironic mood. The conversation shows problems in the family, especially between Jasper and his sisters, Maud and Dora, as they talk about their financial struggles and the possible failure of their friend, Edwin Reardon, a struggling author. The beginning scene shows the characters worrying about society's expectations, personal goals, and the hard realities of making a living as a writer, hinting at the problems that will develop as the story continues.