'House of Cobwebs and Other Stories' Summary

The stories in "House of Cobwebs and Other Stories" offer a glimpse into the lives of diverse individuals navigating the challenges and contradictions of their time. Gissing's characters are often caught in the struggle between ambition and circumstance, their flaws and aspirations laid bare for the reader to contemplate. One story might depict the humorous foibles of a pretentious middle-class family, while another delves into the tragic consequences of poverty and societal neglect. Through these narratives, Gissing provides a multi-faceted portrait of Victorian society, exposing its complexities and highlighting the human condition's enduring struggles with identity, love, and loss.