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Keep the Aspidistra Flying

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Keep the Aspidistra Flying

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Richard E. Grant
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About this listen

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 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political
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Highly recommend this book. It’s a lesser known one of Orwell’s but well worth a listen, especially because Richard’s masterful performance brings each character off the page and onto the stage.

Two greats in one

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George Orwell is and was a brilliant storyteller. I can no longer read 1984, because of the similarity with today's reality, but this is a cracking yarn of one man's struggle with his own moral beliefs.

Excellent story of life & rebellion

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Not as famous as 1984 for example but actually better, and Richard Grant’s performance is brilliant.

Best of Orwell’s books

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Orwell always knows how to write an absolutely realistic yet fantastic story! Love all his books.

loved it

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Excellent again by Orwell. Wonderfully narrated. Would highly recommend for anyone doing a deep dive into Orwells works

Classic Orwell

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Hated this book. I gave up half way, it may have gotten better but I could not go on. I hated Gordon, so self centred, so deluded, so pathetic. If this was a critique of capitalism, I wouldn’t blame the system, I blame Gordon for his woes. What was the point if it all? Why Rosemary stuck with him I do not know.
I suggest Animal Farm or Burmese Days are much better reads.

Sad Depressing And Profoundly Ugly

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I am very fond of his non fiction writing especially his essays, but this is dreary cynical twaddle. It is not, unfortunately, saved by the excellent narration performance by Richard E Grant.

Poor old George, what a sad tale.

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