Esther Waters

New Edition

George Moore
Introduction and Notes by Stephen Regan

Oxford World's Classics

One of the most controversial and influential novels of the 1890s, Esther Waters scandalized Victorian opinion in its depiction of a single mother and her struggle to survive prejudice and injustice.
The only available edition of this powerful novel.
The Introduction examines the vivid depiction of Victorian sub-culture, horse-racing and gambling, the London tavern and the life of working-class women in the novel, as well as the stylistic influences of French naturalism and Impressionist painting.
Explanatory Notes provide helpful glosses on unfamiliar expressions and a range of horse racing and betting terms.

New to this Edition:

Introduction by Stephen Regan.
New, up-to-date bibliography, improved chronology, and new and considerably expanded notes included.
New and reset text of the novel, using the revised 1899 text rather than the later 1920 edition, re-establishing the novel as a classic of the 1890s.

Esther Waters

New Edition

George Moore
Introduction and Notes by Stephen Regan

Description

Here is the only available paperback edition of George Moore's powerful novel, Esther Waters. Controversial and influential on its first appearance in 1894, the book opened up a new direction for the English realist tradition. Unflinching in its depiction of the dark and sordid side of Victorian culture, it remains one of the great novels of London life and labor in the 1890s. The novel depicts with extraordinary candor Esther's struggles against prejudice and injustice, and the growth of her character as she determines to protect her son. Her moving story is set against the backdrop of a world of horse racing, betting, and public houses, whose vivid depiction led James Joyce to call Esther Waters "the best novel of modern English life."

The new introduction by Stephen Regan examines the novel's vivid depiction of Victorian sub-culture, horse-racing and gambling, the London tavern, and the life of working-class women, and he also explores the stylistic influences of French naturalism and Impressionist painting. The new edition includes considerably expanded explanatory notes that provide helpful glosses on unfamiliar expressions and define a range of horse racing and betting terms. In addition, there is an improved chronology and a new bibliography.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Esther Waters

New Edition

George Moore
Introduction and Notes by Stephen Regan

Oxford World's Classics

Author Information

Stephen Regan is Professor of English at Durham University. He the editor of Irish Writing: An Anthology of Irish Literature in English 1789-1939. He is a Visiting Scholar in the Department of English at Harvard University (2011-12).