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Modern Classics Keep the Aspidistra Flying
Modern Classics Keep the Aspidistra Flying | George Orwell
5 posts | 24 read | 18 to read
Gordon Comstock loathes dull, middle-class respectability and worship of money. He gives up a 'good job' in advertising to work part-time in a bookshop, giving him more time to write. But he slides instead into a self-induced poverty that destroys his creativity and his spirit. Only Rosemary, ever-faithful Rosemary, has the strength to challenge his commitment to his chosen way of life. Through the character of Gordon Comstock, Orwell reveals his own disaffection with the society he once himself renounced. Enlivened with vivid autobiographical detail, George Orwell's Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a tragically witty account of the struggle to escape from a materialistic existence, with an introduction by Peter Davison in Penguin Modern Classics.
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Creadnorthey
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Mehso-so

Not my favorite so far. Again seeds of the future writings are here throughout; the disaffected protagonist, the posters and soulless advertisements, the “tarts” and the poverty, lovemaking and nature. But in the end this is a bit too much of an on the nose moral tale about the money-god that is still (prophetically) ruling us all.

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GatheringBooks
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Ye_Mighty_Andy_Spare
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Dear Universe
Please can Richard E Grant narrate every single audiobook from now on?
Many thanks

11 likes1 stack add
review
quietlycuriouskate
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Mehso-so

I've come to the conclusion that Orwell's books have important things to say about aspects of our contemporary society, as much as his own, but reading them is a miserable experience. I've seen this one billed as a dark comedy: maybe I'm betraying my own relative lack of status in the money world, but it struck me as dismal from start to finish. Richard E. Grant's excellent narration got me through it.

1936 for #192019challenge

Emilymdxn I feel EXACTLY the same about orwell. I can help but feel he was an amazing journalist who shouldn‘t have tried writing fiction :/ 7y
rabbitprincess Ooooo Richard E. Grant narrates this? Nice! That's convinced me anyway... 😁 7y
43 likes2 comments
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brittnaypozen
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Admiral Ackbar & I want to wish everyone a happy & safe Memorial day weekend filled with good company & great books! Also, just a reminder that June 1st officially starts 'Who Picked This Book' book club so be sure to pick up your copies of Maestra by L.S. Hilton! First meeting is June 13th!

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Aspidistra is in my TBR! 8y
BookFreakOut Aww that name makes me laugh he's so cute! 😊Watching Return of the Jedi at this very moment. 8y
brittnaypozen @ErickaS Flyleafunfurled I love it! I can't wait to hear what you think of it! 8y
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brittnaypozen @BookFreakOut thank you! I'm a big star wars fan lol. Enjoy your movie! 8y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Also, my biggest hermit crab is named Zoidberg . . . 8y
brittnaypozen @ErickaS Flyleafunfurled omg I love that! Lol zoidberg was my favorite 8y
59 likes3 stack adds6 comments