Arthur Morrison 
A Child of the Jago – Tales from the London Rookeries 

Arthur Morrison’s ‘A Child of the Jago – Tales from the London Rookeries’ provides a gritty and realistic portrayal of life in the impoverished slums of Victorian London. Written in a stark and unflinching style, Morrison captures the harsh realities faced by the residents of the Jago, a notorious area plagued by crime and poverty. The book’s vivid descriptions and vivid characters offer a glimpse into a world that is often overlooked in traditional literature, making it a valuable historical document of the era. Morrison’s use of dialect and slang adds authenticity to the narrative, immersing the reader in the sights and sounds of the Jago. Arthur Morrison, a journalist and writer, drew on his own experiences of working in London’s East End to create ‘A Child of the Jago’. His commitment to social reform and advocacy for the marginalized communities shines through in the book, as he sheds light on the harsh conditions faced by the urban poor. Morrison’s background gives him a unique perspective on the issues he addresses in his work, making ‘A Child of the Jago’ a compelling and insightful read for those interested in the social history of London. I highly recommend ‘A Child of the Jago – Tales from the London Rookeries’ to readers who are looking to explore the darker side of Victorian society and gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by the urban poor. Morrison’s powerful storytelling and social commentary make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the history of poverty and inequality in London.

A propos de l’auteur

Arthur Morrison (1863–1945) was an English writer and journalist known primarily for his realistic novels and stories depicting the lives of the working poor in London’s East End during the late Victorian era. Morrison’s work is notable for its vivid portrayal of the brutalities and hardships faced by those living in the slums, especially at a time when the social novel was gaining prominence as a medium for reform and social commentary. His most acclaimed work, ‘A Child of the Jago’ (1896), remains a landmark in the canon of British social realism. The novel presents a harrowing narrative set in a fictionalized version of the Old Nichol, a notorious slum in Bethnal Green. Morrison’s portrayal of the central character’s struggle for survival amid squalor was informed by his own observations while working as a journalist, where he was exposed to the dire realities faced by the impoverished masses. The book’s stark depiction of life in the ‘Jago’ provided readers with a raw look at the societal ills of the period, and it has since become a crucial text for those interested in the literary and historical representation of the Victorian underclass. Morrison’s literary style, characterized by its detailed and sympathetic yet unflinching commentary on the human condition, cemented his reputation as a significant voice in the world of social-problem fiction (Morrison, 1896; Child of the Jago). Beyond ‘A Child of the Jago’, Morrison’s corpus extends to tales and sketches that continued to shed light on the lived experiences of London’s poorest, often contributing keen insights into the complexities of urban life at the turn of the century.