It is quite amazing there is barely a gap of a decade between "Kipps" and this book which seems to be an universe away in attitude, outlook and lifestyle.
There is an oddly cold, industrial and treating People as commodities to be used, exploited,consumed and ultimately disposed style that was shocking at the time but quite an apt description of the backroom horse-trading of politics and relationships today.
This article looks at some of the chronology of the events portrayed in the Book written just after the golden period of Edwardian England before the Empire would wane and just before the start of WW1
A lesson of the Novel also touches upon the argument if there can be a clear delineation between a political activists personal life and public service.The question is of someone is willing to betray and be unfaithful to those close to his personal life , then will this person not ultimately betray his cause in Public.The issue of Tommy Sheridan in Scotland is a case in point , no matter where one stands on the matter.
Beatrice Webb , one of the characters who is negatively "portrayed" in the book also had to ponder this very question, her answer was the novel "lays bare the tragedy of H.G.'s life—his aptitude for 'fine thinking' and even 'good feeling' and yet his total incapacity for decent conduct."
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