Keep the Aspidistra Flying

By: George Orwell

Narrated by: Richard E. Grant

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.

©2011 CSA Word (P)2011 CSA Word

Down to the Wire

Okay, this book had me on the edge of my last nerve. It seems to be the Orwell way to write about what really matters. Dr. T.

Genius

This is a perfect work by Orwell. The best novel I have read by him so far. The performance by Richard E Grant could not be better - he is the perfect casting for Gordon Comstock.

Be aware that this copy has a sound fault in chapter 7. There is about 40 seconds of skipping that make that tony section of the book inaudible.

Orwell's Humor?

If you could sum up Keep the Aspidistra Flying in three words, what would they be?

anti-hero un-worships Money

What did you like best about this story?

This is easily the funniest of Orwell's books

What about Richard E. Grant’s performance did you like?

Well above average, did great voices.

Any additional comments?

Required listening for Orwell fans.

Deeply profound

This book depicts the painful struggle of consenting to sell oneself to promote the aims of a corporation or institution. Much of the book is painful to read because our protagonist makes horrible mistakes repeatedly. Gordon needlessly hurts people who are close to him, both because he lacks money, and much more painfully, because he is constantly obsessed with his lack of money and his feelings of inadequacy that derive from his poverty. However, the book is not long, and left me feeling incredibly satisfied when I reached the end. The books ethical/moral implications are hard to pin down. Gordon finally finds stability and some peace by giving in to his hatred of money, and the reader feels very happy with his decision. Yet all this satisfaction we feel is from Gordon renouncing all he believes in, something that is epitomized by his powerful desire for an Aspidistra plant in his window so all the neighbors would see, even though Gordon spent the last 30 years of his life despising Aspidistras.

Impeccably read and justifiably a classic.

so many thought provoking lessons of life wrapped up in the gripping tale of Gordon's journey to acceptance of the inevitable.