In the Year of Jubilee

Set in late Victorian London, In the Year of Jubilee follows schoolteacher Alice Madden and her family as they navigate the rigid constraints of class and gender. Determined to escape poverty and secure a better future, Alice seeks intellectual and financial independence through education and writing. Her ambitions mirror those of other women striving for self-determination in a society that limits their roles. The novel explores themes of social mobility, feminism, and the transformative power of education. Gissing critiques the limitations imposed on women and the working class, while portraying the struggles and small triumphs of individuals seeking fulfillment beyond societal expectations. Against the backdrop of industrialization and shifting cultural norms, the story unfolds with realism and empathy, offering a poignant reflection on personal agency and the pursuit of dignity in an unequal world.