Demos: A Story of English Socialism

Published in 1894, 'Demos: A Story of English Socialism' by George Gissing follows Richard Mutimer, a socialist who inherits a fortune and aims to use it for social good by opening a factory for workers. The novel explores the complexities of wealth, love, and political ideals, questioning whether a man can retain his socialist values after gaining power. Gissing vividly depicts the struggles of the working class in 19th-century London, making this work notable for its social commentary and influence on later writers like George Orwell. It is the only one of Gissing's novels to be adapted into a film.