George Gissing's work reflects his observations of fin-de-siecle London life. This work examines Gissing's fiction in relation to the formation of the new identities, focusing specifically on debates about the working woman. '... a fascinating exploration of women's work and its depiction in the periodical and fictional writing of the period... Liggins writes with a mix of clarity, wit and intelligence that makes her study as learned as it is sparklingly fresh.' Deborah Parsons, University of Birmingham, UK 'The author has succeeded in presenting a nuanced account of Gissing's diverse representations of working women, sensitive to the range of his fiction, inluding lesser known short stories and one-volume novels...' Literature and History