Between 1880 and 1903 Gissing wrote 23 novels. His early works were naturalistic and later he wrote in a realistic style. Gissing it considered to be a late Victorian author. Godwin Peak leaves his home in the Midlands to become a journalist. He enters the free-thinking society of London. His background of poverty hinders his progression. He gets his big break with an article lambasting the hypocrisy of the Victorian Church. Godwin's future dims when he falls in love with a devout girl.