Against the vivid background of the political and social upheavals of the mid-1880s, in 'Demos' Gissing weaves an electrifying story of ambition, betrayal, love and loss. The novel offers one of the most penetrating analyses of London's poor and working classes in late-Victorian fiction and delivers an unsettling critique of the English socialist movement at a pivotal point in its history. Gissing's rage against the social and economic system that creates appalling poverty is palpable, and he depicts human suffering with exquisite poignancy in scenes that are among the most beautiful in the English language. This new scholarly edition includes: preface by Pierre Coustillas, critical introduction by Debbie Harrison, suggestions for further reading, George Gissing chronology, explanatory notes, appendix on the politics of 'Demos'.