Thank you Yiyun. Interesting facts about Gissing. I have been curious about which parts were autobiographical. Do you think Gissing is making a commentary on the English vs American publishing and writing style? I feel this book does not read like a typical Victorian novel and has a more upfront and casual tone like a Twain story. I am curious if Gissing had an opinion on English vs American authors.
Jasper does calculate his way through life! And he's already spending Marian's money in his mind -("... to be spent in obtaining a position for myself.")
Maud is engaged in her own delusions of grandeur and gold-digging (Jasper attempts to convince her that she should aim even higher), and along that line Maud considers that for Jasper, 'Marian, as an individual, could not be considered an appropriate wife for such a man with such a future'
Additionally, Jasper's internal dialogue bounces through some minor points of doubt regarding his choice to marry Marian, dropping his head at the thought that Miss Rupert "would make him a man of solid means" and even "Ah! If only Amy herself were free, with her ten thousand pounds to dispose of!" - to the point where he can't repeat his declaration of love to Marian even as he looks to hurry the date of their union.
I need to keep reminding myself that these decisions are made in a world where the wolf is always at your door, which also forces me to contemplate how the threat of poverty never played a role in my life decisions - who am I to judge?
Gissing died too young, at barely 46. Curious about that I turned to Wikipedia: "Gissing died aged 46 on 28 December 1903 having caught a chill on an ill-advised winter walk." We know now that people don't get sick from "chills" per se. New Grub Street depicts London as a hellscape of "fog", really smoke trapped in fog. There are windows soot streaked as rain falls and characters experience mouthfuls of smoke. Everyone coughs and being outside is unpleasant. Reardon seems particularly affected as his physical and mental health inexorably decline. Maybe it ws this poisonous air Gissing captures so well that appears part of this novel's social commentary subtext that killed him.
“To think that a man should live on pea-nuts in a town called Troy!” The love of literature and beauty is always running through the novel, especially in the musings of Biffen, Whelpdale, Reardon, even when they are struggling the most. The contrast with Jasper is stark.
I’m officially resigning from Team Jasper. He is going to spend out Marian’s money in 10 years—a risky move. (I had assumed they would use her 200 lbs a year to supplement their income for life.). And he is colder to Marian than I expected. I fear he’s not redeemable.
Lessons making it in writing- “The art of writing for such papers — indeed, for the public in general — is to express vulgar thought and feeling in a way that flatters the vulgar thinkers and feelers.” Another quote that has become more relevant over the years.
The shifts between Reardon and Milvain are very marked. I don't have a favorite, I find them both trying - as characters - in different ways. Significant that the one subject that ties them together now is Amy, not literature of any kind.
If Reardon had recovered himself after Amy left, accidentally written a huge bestseller (of no real literary virtue) become rich and famous, and spurned her eager offer to rejoin him?
I can't help wanting this book to be other than what it is sometimes.
Men and their adventures. If Dora and Maud and Marian and Amy - let alone the Mrs. Alfred Yules of the world - were only allowed the same. Pea-nuts, indeed.
"You have to become famous before you can secure the attention which would give fame." Even more true today, says she who has just returned from a gander through Politics and Prose's memoir section. The vast majority of what is on offer in the genre is the celebrity memoir.
"If a man can't hit upon any other way attracting attention, let him dance on his head in the middle of the street; after that he may hope to get consideration for his volume of poems." TikTok, poets.
"Of course if your work is strong, and you can afford to wait, the probability is that half a dozen people will at last begin to shout that you have been monstrously neglected, as you have. But that happens when you are hoary and sapless, and when nothing under the sun delights you." Or you're dead and then really undelightable. So depressing in every respect, including Jasper's view of old age.
"Undeniably he was in love. Not passionately, not with the consuming desire that makes every motive seem paltry compared with its own satisfaction; but still quite sufficiently in love to have a great difficulty in pursuing his daily tasks. This did not still the voice which bade him remember all the opportunities and hopes he was throwing aside." Yikes, just enough in love to make a choice he'll regret? Poor Marian. Sounds like he'd throw her over in an instant if Amy were free with her ten thousand pounds!
I too found Whelpdale's American adventures engaging--and I have been to Troy, with a theatre company. It is an interesting place.
Gissing is brilliant in his complex character foils. Reardon and Jasper, e.g., morally principled toward others vs. totally unprincipled in his calculations for using other people, even his own sisters before the mother’s death; Mr. Yule’s and Jasper’s ten-year plans for success by using Marian’s money; Whelpdale and Jasper on taking risks--just a few of a longer list.
I have so much empathy for Reardon who suffers from what Churchill called “the black dog” of depression. It can be truly disabling, not being able t o read or write or think imaginatively, find beauty or cheer in life. It is a pitiful state, not self-pity.
And no doubt poverty has condemned him to the most unhealthful squalor and disease, anemia ( anyone ever have that you know of? It causes depression.) I saw him come joyfully to life with cheerful Biffen and their love for Euripides, which Biffen carries in his coat pocket. “And their talk turned once more to the land of the sun” until they had to go out again “into the foggy street.” Fog, fog everywhere. The idealist and the realist share their “passion”; “The best moments of life are those when we contemplate beauty in the purely artist spirit- objectively.” “ Reardon’s face was illumined with the glow of an exquisite memory.” How’s that for contrasting with Mr. Yule, Jasper, etc.?
And I consider Jasper a snake if there ever was one!
Thank you Yiyun. Interesting facts about Gissing. I have been curious about which parts were autobiographical. Do you think Gissing is making a commentary on the English vs American publishing and writing style? I feel this book does not read like a typical Victorian novel and has a more upfront and casual tone like a Twain story. I am curious if Gissing had an opinion on English vs American authors.
Jasper does calculate his way through life! And he's already spending Marian's money in his mind -("... to be spent in obtaining a position for myself.")
Maud is engaged in her own delusions of grandeur and gold-digging (Jasper attempts to convince her that she should aim even higher), and along that line Maud considers that for Jasper, 'Marian, as an individual, could not be considered an appropriate wife for such a man with such a future'
Additionally, Jasper's internal dialogue bounces through some minor points of doubt regarding his choice to marry Marian, dropping his head at the thought that Miss Rupert "would make him a man of solid means" and even "Ah! If only Amy herself were free, with her ten thousand pounds to dispose of!" - to the point where he can't repeat his declaration of love to Marian even as he looks to hurry the date of their union.
I need to keep reminding myself that these decisions are made in a world where the wolf is always at your door, which also forces me to contemplate how the threat of poverty never played a role in my life decisions - who am I to judge?
Gissing died too young, at barely 46. Curious about that I turned to Wikipedia: "Gissing died aged 46 on 28 December 1903 having caught a chill on an ill-advised winter walk." We know now that people don't get sick from "chills" per se. New Grub Street depicts London as a hellscape of "fog", really smoke trapped in fog. There are windows soot streaked as rain falls and characters experience mouthfuls of smoke. Everyone coughs and being outside is unpleasant. Reardon seems particularly affected as his physical and mental health inexorably decline. Maybe it ws this poisonous air Gissing captures so well that appears part of this novel's social commentary subtext that killed him.
More refreshing instances of snobbery. Talk of people "altogether beneath you". Also, talk of a seeing "a good deal of miscellaneous society."
“To think that a man should live on pea-nuts in a town called Troy!” The love of literature and beauty is always running through the novel, especially in the musings of Biffen, Whelpdale, Reardon, even when they are struggling the most. The contrast with Jasper is stark.
I’m officially resigning from Team Jasper. He is going to spend out Marian’s money in 10 years—a risky move. (I had assumed they would use her 200 lbs a year to supplement their income for life.). And he is colder to Marian than I expected. I fear he’s not redeemable.
Lessons making it in writing- “The art of writing for such papers — indeed, for the public in general — is to express vulgar thought and feeling in a way that flatters the vulgar thinkers and feelers.” Another quote that has become more relevant over the years.
The shifts between Reardon and Milvain are very marked. I don't have a favorite, I find them both trying - as characters - in different ways. Significant that the one subject that ties them together now is Amy, not literature of any kind.
If Reardon had recovered himself after Amy left, accidentally written a huge bestseller (of no real literary virtue) become rich and famous, and spurned her eager offer to rejoin him?
I can't help wanting this book to be other than what it is sometimes.
Men and their adventures. If Dora and Maud and Marian and Amy - let alone the Mrs. Alfred Yules of the world - were only allowed the same. Pea-nuts, indeed.
"You have to become famous before you can secure the attention which would give fame." Even more true today, says she who has just returned from a gander through Politics and Prose's memoir section. The vast majority of what is on offer in the genre is the celebrity memoir.
"If a man can't hit upon any other way attracting attention, let him dance on his head in the middle of the street; after that he may hope to get consideration for his volume of poems." TikTok, poets.
"Of course if your work is strong, and you can afford to wait, the probability is that half a dozen people will at last begin to shout that you have been monstrously neglected, as you have. But that happens when you are hoary and sapless, and when nothing under the sun delights you." Or you're dead and then really undelightable. So depressing in every respect, including Jasper's view of old age.
"Undeniably he was in love. Not passionately, not with the consuming desire that makes every motive seem paltry compared with its own satisfaction; but still quite sufficiently in love to have a great difficulty in pursuing his daily tasks. This did not still the voice which bade him remember all the opportunities and hopes he was throwing aside." Yikes, just enough in love to make a choice he'll regret? Poor Marian. Sounds like he'd throw her over in an instant if Amy were free with her ten thousand pounds!
I too found Whelpdale's American adventures engaging--and I have been to Troy, with a theatre company. It is an interesting place.
Gissing is brilliant in his complex character foils. Reardon and Jasper, e.g., morally principled toward others vs. totally unprincipled in his calculations for using other people, even his own sisters before the mother’s death; Mr. Yule’s and Jasper’s ten-year plans for success by using Marian’s money; Whelpdale and Jasper on taking risks--just a few of a longer list.
I have so much empathy for Reardon who suffers from what Churchill called “the black dog” of depression. It can be truly disabling, not being able t o read or write or think imaginatively, find beauty or cheer in life. It is a pitiful state, not self-pity.
And no doubt poverty has condemned him to the most unhealthful squalor and disease, anemia ( anyone ever have that you know of? It causes depression.) I saw him come joyfully to life with cheerful Biffen and their love for Euripides, which Biffen carries in his coat pocket. “And their talk turned once more to the land of the sun” until they had to go out again “into the foggy street.” Fog, fog everywhere. The idealist and the realist share their “passion”; “The best moments of life are those when we contemplate beauty in the purely artist spirit- objectively.” “ Reardon’s face was illumined with the glow of an exquisite memory.” How’s that for contrasting with Mr. Yule, Jasper, etc.?
And I consider Jasper a snake if there ever was one!
Of course Reardon could use some feminist education.