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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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Orwell's darkly comic novel centres around the life of Gordon Comstock, onetime advertising copywriter turned bookshop employee and struggling poet. Gordon's disdain for money and artistic compromise preclude his earning enough of a living to escape constant public embarrassment. On top of this, it gives him terrible trouble holding on to his girlfriend. Unwilling to dilute his stubborn stance on capitalistic pursuits, he constantly obsesses "money, money, money, all is money". Gordon's problems mount while his only published volume, "Mice", gathers dust on a shelf, and his attempts at a new collection stagnate.
Written during Orwell's time living in Notting Hill and set in London during "the year of blight, 1934", the novel is a fine example of Orwell's wit, and a masterpiece of fiction. It also hints towards themes about power and relationships that would colour his later works Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm.
Reader Richard E. Grant is one Britain's best-loved actors, and best remembered for his role in Withnail & I. In 1997 Grant also appeared as Gordon Comstock in a film version of Orwell's novel.

 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political
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Critic reviews

"If 'peerless prose' could apply to one writer alone, I'd accord it to Orwell."
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What did you like most about Keep the Aspidistra Flying?

I picked this up in an audible sale and I am so glad I did. Firstly this has outstripped 1984 as my favorite Orwell novel. The writing is sharp, gives a great flavour for the period but as is always the case with a true classic - the themes and characters transcend the original era.But great books do not always make great audio books. Richard E Grant's performance is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. The talk of booze soaked poverty and frustrated creativity is pure Withnail and I (or Withnail is pure Orwell, you choose). As a long time fan of that film I was delighted by his reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gordon Comstock, the money obsessed creative snob whose every decision seems to bring him closure to the edge of self destruction. Thoroughly hateful and utterly sympathetic.

What does Richard E. Grant bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Grant brings every ounce of the drunken narcissistic creative kamikaze passion that made Withnail and I unforgettable to a generation of cinema goers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Gordon's idiotic series of bad judgement calls when he finally gets paid for a writing assignment. Hearing him plunge into a self destructive frenzy as his loved ones look on and suffer is incredibly sad.

Any additional comments?

This is really good, you should give it a try!

Withnail fans - this is a must listen

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Really good narration from a very good British actor. The story paints a very real picture of thirties London. You do feel like telling the main character to buck his ideas up though.

Depressingly good

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Obviously a classic. And who better to narrate than Richard E Grant? I read this book for the first time about 50 years ago when I first came to London and could still see the remains of the "aspidistra" culture that this book centres around. Although today it is hard to imagine what life must have been like in 1930's London, before the NHS and when down and out really meant just that. I would recommend that this book be read every few years to remind us how people with "principles" end up foresaking them (and why) and also because it is simply a literary gem. And of course Richard E Grant's narration is somply a bonus. Wonderful.

Wonderful book, superb narration

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This is not the strongest of Orwell's fine selection of novels, but is still an enjoyable listen. However the narration by Richard E. Grant is superb and really brings the characters to life.

Richard E. Grant is a great narrator.

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I was infuriated with Gordon on his self destruct mission but found the ending a little unrealistic. Nevertheless Orwell’s powerful prose brilliantly narrated by Grant is enough to overcome any dissatisfaction with plot .

A powerful voice

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