The Whirlpool

In 'The Whirlpool', the author, George Gissing, explores the lives of the middle to upper-middle classes, displaying his typical insight into the influence of money on people's lives. The novel revolves around a couple, Harvey Rolfe and Alma Frothingham, who aspire to a simple and equal lifestyle, away from the societal expectations of their class and the fast-paced world of London. However, their plans are derailed as Alma's restlessness and mercurial nature make it difficult to resist the pull of the city's fast-paced lifestyle, leading to disastrous consequences.