The Whirlpool: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Whirlpool: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Whirlpool is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Gissing, George (1857–1903).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Whirlpool" by George Gissing is a novel written during the late 19th century (Victorian era). The book delves into the complexities of social life, personal relationships, and moral dilemmas as it follows the character of Harvey Rolfe, a man navigating the intricacies of his independence and social circles while reflecting on his past and present circumstances. The opening of "The Whirlpool" introduces us to Harvey Rolfe, an at times cynical man of means, as he dines with several acquaintances at a club in London. We learn about his past, including his previous struggles with poverty and his current social interactions, particularly with an ambitious younger man named Cecil Morphew, who seeks to make a fortune through speculation despite his romantic motivations for financial success. Through Rolfe’s contemplative observations and interactions with his friend Hugh Carnaby and other club members, themes of domesticity, the folly of gambling, and social class dynamics emerge. The chapter concludes with hints of impending personal and communal crises, as news of a house robbery and the fate of Carnaby’s household unfurl against the backdrop of Rolfe's own ambivalence towards domestic life and societal expectations, setting the stage for deeper explorations of these characters’ lives.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Whirlpool
- Author credits: Gissing, George (1857–1903)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
- English fiction -- 19th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


