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This latest research into late-Victorian literature has attempted to correct previous misunderstandings of George Gissing´s personal attitude allegedly portrayed in his social-realist fiction. His innovative contributions to genre-development are being high-lighted throughout the reinterpretation of his major novels while bearing in mind the impact of his shorter fiction. This multilingual author must be of particular interest to foreign learners of English because his provocative stories can offer them timeless opportunities for intercultural learning. Looking at the precarious state of Europe from our contemporary stance, it must be high time to move this highly underrated late-Victorian author back into our literary consciousness.

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Dr. Schenke has graduated with distinction in English & American Studies, Classical Philology and Education. She has taught for many years at secondary schools, worked in the English department at Munich University and the Education department in Hamburg. More recently, she has been exploring British culture first hand by living abroad.

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