"The Crown of Life" through George Gissing is a singular that delves into the complexities of affection, relationships, and societal expectations inside the overdue nineteenth century. The narrative follows the lives of its characters, exploring the demanding situations they face in pursuit of happiness and success. At the middle of the tale is Sidney Athelstone, a skilled author who navigates the literary international and grapples with the intricacies of human feelings. The novel weaves a tapestry of characters whose lives intersect, revealing the intricacies of love, marriage, and the pursuit of personal aspirations. As Sidney seeks creative and private success, he encounters numerous characters, each struggling with their personal goals and constraints. The novel explores subject matters of societal norms, the conflict between man or woman goals and societal expectancies, and the sacrifices individuals make inside the pursuit of their passions. George Gissing, regarded for his keen observations of society, crafts a narrative that reflects the challenges and contradictions of the time. "The Crown of Life" stands as a poignant exploration of the human circumstance, imparting readers a window into the social dynamics and private struggles of the overdue 19th century.
Gissing was born on November 22, 1857, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, the eldest of five children to Thomas Waller Gissing, a chemist, and Margaret. His siblings included William, who died at the age of twenty, Algernon, who later became a writer, Margaret, and Ellen. The Gissing Trust maintains his childhood house in Thompson's Yard, Wakefield. Gissing attended Back Lane School in Wakefield, where he excelled academically. His real interest in reading began when he was ten years old, when he read Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop, and it expanded over time, thanks to his father's encouragement and the family library. Juvenilia written at this time was published in 1995 as The Poetry of George Gissing. After returning to England, Gissing and Nell lived in London, where he wrote novels and worked as a private instructor. When his debut novel, Workers in the Dawn, was rejected by a publisher, he self-published it using funds from an inheritance. Gissing married Nell on October 27, 1879. Their marriage was marred by poverty, and they were frequently separated while Nell was in the hospital due to ill health. Morley Roberts, a fellow novelist and Owens College alumni, published The Private Life of Henry Maitland, a novel inspired by Gissing's life, in 1912. He was acquaintances with Eduard Bertz, a German socialist whom he met in 1879.
