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Keep the Aspidistra Flying Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,735 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Gordon Comstock is a poor young man who works by day in a grubby London bookstore and spends his evenings shivering in a rented room, trying to write. Gordon has published a slim volume of verse and is determined to keep free of the “money world” of safe, lucrative jobs, marriage, and family responsibilities. This world, to Gordon, spells the end of art and aspidistra, the homely, indestructible house plant that stands in every middle-class British window.
Gordon’s sweetheart, Rosemary, understands him: she is patient with his pride and lack of funds. But then, as it happens with all lovers, events overtake them.
Orwell’s picture of the “money world,” as Gordon sees it, is in his best satirical vein.
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"I, as a young loon, shared a few oddly harmless traits of personality with Gordon Comstock, this book's protagonist. Gordon is the only character I've met in all of literature displaying these particular oddities. Well, what are they? Who cares? Clue! "
— Steve (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Gritty, growling, commonsensical and touching. [Orwell] never wrote a basically kinder or more human novel.”
— Time -
“A remarkable novel...A summa of all the criticisms of a commercial civilization that have ever been made.”
— Lionel Trilling -
“A delightful addition to the Orwell literature…A work Orwell enthusiasts will bracket with Down and Out in Paris and London.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Richard Brown reads in a clear voice and effectively captures the rhythms of the text.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A BuzzFeed Books Pick of 49 Underrated Books You Really Need to Read
Keep the Aspidistra Flying Listener Reviews
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" After reading Down and Out in Paris and London, which is non-fiction, it was fascinating reading this fiction book. Orwell explores poverty, and what it does to people, in a very compelling and interesting way. Very impressed with both books! "
— Darren, 2/3/2014 -
" I don't know what it is about this book, but it reminds me of my brother. I loved it. There is something very pure about it. "
— Amanda, 2/3/2014 -
" Highly recommended for those who seek the "artsy" lifestyle and soon thereafter, realize the true struggles associated with it. Also recommended for aspiring writers, as it chronicles the tale of one. "
— Ami, 2/1/2014 -
" Magnificent book. I instantly related to it, definitely recommend. "
— Tina, 1/31/2014 -
" Sometimes a book can move you and this is one of those books. "
— Katy, 1/30/2014 -
" Leave it to Orwell to get a RIGHT PROPER reaction out of you! "
— Jesse, 1/26/2014 -
" It's refreshing to read a book with such an unlikable protagonist. At times i wanted to reach in an give him a whack to help bring him to his senses. "
— Jo, 1/21/2014 -
" The feeling of the last paragraph of 1984 stretched across an entire book. Massively depressing for nothing. "
— Beenie, 1/19/2014 -
" Well written but dreary and depressing tale of lower middle class strivers. "
— Chas, 1/18/2014 -
" Amazing book! Really liked how Gordon Comstock finally gives in to Money-god at the end of the book! "
— Sujash, 1/13/2014 -
" Money, money, money. I got sick of the protagonist whining, but still somehow found myself flipping pages. Maybe I like Orwell's humor, maybe because I'm still not sure what I think about this book. I don't know if I found a redeeming quality in either the protagonist or the story. "
— Ande, 1/12/2014 -
" My favorite Orwell. "
— Shanna, 1/7/2014 -
" a dry, sarcastic, honest, brilliant, hilarious look at what people want, who they want to be and who they really are. "
— Theresa, 12/21/2013 -
" Orwell does a far-too-good job creating a mood and putting the reader inside the character's world. The description of the grinding monotony of poverty was just too monotonous. "
— Liz, 11/7/2013 -
" Youthful angst and pot plants. A heady mixture. "
— John, 10/18/2013 -
" A savage look at poverty but also darkly amusing at times. The character of Gordon Comstock is one of my all time favourites. "
— Darrenl, 10/14/2013 -
" Interesting book about a man and his war against money. "
— Ryan, 10/13/2013 -
" Really enjoyed this book. Orwell fan? Then you'll love it. "
— Stephen, 10/8/2013 -
" Read in 00's. Listen as audio book in 2012. Read by Richard E. Grant and he did a amazingly great job. best audio ever :-) "
— William, 10/6/2013 -
" A great read for anyone who had ever felt financial struggle. "
— Kelly, 8/5/2013 -
" I love George Orwell's books 1984 and Animal Farm, and this one was good as well, yet it felt kinda slow... Then again, it has very interesting points, mainly going around money... And well, it's a good story! "
— Mayra, 5/31/2013 -
" George Orwell's take on middle class aspirations, or should that be "aspidistrations", in English suburbia before the Second World War. "
— Jim, 5/24/2013 -
" Now this is a writer. Written in 1935, it was already obvious to Orwell that there was to be a second World War. Beautifully descriptive in all it's bleak hilarity. Excruciatingly funny book. Now I know where 'minging' came from! "
— Artemis, 9/5/2012 -
" Orwell's profound understanding of people is on display. Not as tightly written nor as dramatic as his later work, it takes a more leisurely pace that allows him to express himself in a more open way. "
— Chris, 6/10/2012 -
" Awful. So depressing and self-indulgent. I consider myself an Orwell fan, but this one is to be avoided. "
— Jackmcintyre3, 4/27/2012 -
" I loved this book... Gordon Comstock is the hero you love to hate or hate to love... "
— Stephen, 4/15/2012 -
" I was Gordon Comstock. "
— RJ, 3/5/2012 -
" Definitley a very entertaining but the character in it was a stubborn asshole. (Spoiler to follow) I also really didn't like it how he conforms to the work world at the end. "
— Adrian, 1/11/2012 -
" Amazing book! Really liked how Gordon Comstock finally gives in to Money-god at the end of the book! "
— Sujash, 1/7/2012 -
" After reading Down and Out in Paris and London, which is non-fiction, it was fascinating reading this fiction book. Orwell explores poverty, and what it does to people, in a very compelling and interesting way. Very impressed with both books! "
— Darren, 6/17/2011 -
" I didn't like this so much as some of the other Orwell novels I've been reading, I found Gordon rather irritating to be honest. "
— Rachel, 3/21/2011 -
" Really enjoyed this book. Orwell fan? Then you'll love it. "
— Stephen, 1/31/2011 -
" I liked the book and loathed Gordon Comstock - views on socialism were amusing "
— Tim, 1/22/2011 -
" Excellent. I had to wait for someone one day and so bought a penguin $10 copy of this book. I had no great expectation of the book and was delighted to find that it was riveting. I was quite sad to put it away when my wait was over. "
— Naomi, 1/18/2011 -
" I had trouble with the star rating on this one, because although it was well written, it was so depressing and the character infuriated me!! "
— Sarah, 12/13/2010 -
" A savage look at poverty but also darkly amusing at times. The character of Gordon Comstock is one of my all time favourites. "
— Darrenl, 12/10/2010 -
" I quite enjoyed it. The ending was a bit surprising, but not altogether unexpected. Well written and beautifully vivid. One of my favourite Orwell novels, I think! "
— Heather, 9/29/2010
About George Orwell
George Orwell (1903–1950), the pen name of Eric Arthur Blaire, was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and literary critic. He is best known for his works of social criticism and opposition to totalitarianism. He also wrote nonfiction about his experiences in the working class and as a solder. His work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective “Orwellian,"describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices, has become part of the English language. In 2008, the London Times named him the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
About Richard Brown
Richard Brown (1937–2005) (a.k.a. Joseph Porter), was a former ballet dancer, actor, and popular audiobook narrator. Born in England, Richard came to the United States early in his career and performed with numerous regional ballet companies. After retiring from the ballet, he pursued a career in acting and recorded dozens of audiobooks for numerous publishers.