This latest research into late-Victorian literature has attempted to correct previous misunderstandings of George Gissing's personal attitude allegedly portrayed in his social-realist fiction. His innovative contributions to genre-development are being high-lighted throughout the reinterpretation of his major novels while bearing in mind the impact of his shorter fiction. This multilingual author must be of particular interest to foreign learners of English because his provocative stories can offer them timeless opportunities for intercultural learning. Looking at the precarious state of Europe from our contemporary stance, it must be high time to move this highly underrated late-Victorian author back into our literary consciousness.