382. Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying
George Orwell
1936
Around 250 pages

Writers love writing about being writers. And honestly, I can't get enough of it. Orwell just keeps improving as an author, which isn't always the case. What a life that man led.

Gordon Comstock declares war on money-obsessed society, and decides to quit his job at an ad company to live the romantic penniless life of a writer. He shames his girlfriend Rosemary for not having unprotected sex with him, saying she doesn't dare have a baby with him because he is broke. As my mom would say, this one is a real pill. Anyway, his battle with capitalism goes about as well as you'd expect.

Orwell's work is always deep with meaning, and this might be my favorite title to date. Gordon doesn't have the talent of a genius, but he has the soul of the artist. He's an easy character to sympathize with, because he wants everything without making any sacrifices.

Orwell's real life experience allowed him to paint a vivid picture of financial hardship. For both Gordon and Orwell, poverty was more of a philosophical choice than an inescapable reality. White male privilege at its finest. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Adapted to film in 1997 with Helena Bonham Carter. 

Written while Orwell was in Hampstead, after his tramping days.

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