Scan barcode
gwinuff's review against another edition
3.0
i judt picked random days bc i just knew i read it last year
it was okay
luv george orwell
it was okay
luv george orwell
wuthrinheights's review
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
I think the one way to describe this book was: a struggle. It was a struggle to be in his shoes, it was a struggle to stomach his day to day life, and it was a struggle to sit with your feelings while reading this and trying to review it. Because let's face it, I've been lucky enough to never know poverty the way he did, and it tears at me knowing that there are so many people who go through it, even as I type this.
His chapters were short, and every chapter would focus on a person or a day in his life. In such simple words, he would describe the harshness of being poor. The hard water in Paris, the huge rats, the infestation of bugs, the starvation, the lack of clothes, the robberies and murders, the prostitution and rape, the dirty kitchens, and con artists. You can't help but feel dirty yourself, and you have the urge to scrub yourself clean. But this was reality to so many people.
This book reminded me of Amerika by Franz Kafka. The series of unfortunate events, the less-than-reliable acquaintances, working in a hotel and getting in so much trouble while working behind the scenes. I think pairing these two books together would be powerful.
Money, money, money. Just that one thing that could either make or break you. Without it, you're already a victim and the whole world is against you. Orwell was so eloquent in criticising the system in such a matter-of-fact way, and he would still get to know and understand everyone he met who, like him, struggled beneath the weight of poverty. To say this book was an eye opener would not even begin to describe it. I would say it's a life changer.
His chapters were short, and every chapter would focus on a person or a day in his life. In such simple words, he would describe the harshness of being poor. The hard water in Paris, the huge rats, the infestation of bugs, the starvation, the lack of clothes, the robberies and murders, the prostitution and rape, the dirty kitchens, and con artists. You can't help but feel dirty yourself, and you have the urge to scrub yourself clean. But this was reality to so many people.
This book reminded me of Amerika by Franz Kafka. The series of unfortunate events, the less-than-reliable acquaintances, working in a hotel and getting in so much trouble while working behind the scenes. I think pairing these two books together would be powerful.
Money, money, money. Just that one thing that could either make or break you. Without it, you're already a victim and the whole world is against you. Orwell was so eloquent in criticising the system in such a matter-of-fact way, and he would still get to know and understand everyone he met who, like him, struggled beneath the weight of poverty. To say this book was an eye opener would not even begin to describe it. I would say it's a life changer.
tess98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
shokoshik's review against another edition
4.0
Who knew there were so many ways to be poor, and that poverty and homelessness is essentially an art form and subculture?
This is more of a personal story than a review (well the review part comes at the end).
So this book is actually really special to me. I saw it a year ago when I visited London, back when I was craving to visit Paris again, and almost bought it, due to said current location + longing. The title was perfect. You know how you always enjoy reading about the places you just been to? Or are still at? It makes it more personal. You feel just a little bit like the story was written especially for you.
And so this year, I went to London again, only this time, I also took the train to Paris for the day. Oh, the joy. I haven't been in exactly 10 years. It was so great. One of the stops was the famous "Shakespeare and Co." bookstore. The one that is featured in "Before Sunset." I really wanted to buy a book there (it's a whimsical, wonderful place) but didn't find anything, and as I was about to leave, I saw the book. I laughed to myself, because, I mean, come on, it's been a year in the making and this time around I was in both London *and* Paris. And so, I both got a book from the famous store, and got to read the book maybe a month after my visit.
And it was indeed great. Because I just saw it all with my own eyes. And the perfect thing about this book, though it's officially non-fiction (I had no clue), it's not entirely clear if it's %100 loyal to what happened, so you can decide for yourselves if it's made up or not.
The specific edition annoyed me. I wish they'd translated the French expressions that add a lot to the style, I'm sure, and were completely lost on me. Some names are missing, as are swearing words, but there's no foot note to indicate that it was like that in the original version, so one can only assumed.
All that aside, the book itself is intriguing. It really portrays a period (1930's) in two European capitals, for a certain level of society. It makes you wonder about poverty, and if it's the same today, because there's seem to be a kind understanding between the "tramps" of back then, which I'm not sure will be found among them today. Also, author claims that there's a difference between English tramps and American ones which is totally possible but again, who knows what it's like today? I kinda wish George Orwell could re-visit the subject.
And the never ending question of - could they have helped themselves our of the situation? While they really do seem like they've been down on their luck, but then again, whenever they managed to get money, drinking and tobacco were in order, so it makes one wonder.
It's pretty short, quite the quick read and recommended to people who love period pieces, and European capitals.
Cheers.
This is more of a personal story than a review (well the review part comes at the end).
So this book is actually really special to me. I saw it a year ago when I visited London, back when I was craving to visit Paris again, and almost bought it, due to said current location + longing. The title was perfect. You know how you always enjoy reading about the places you just been to? Or are still at? It makes it more personal. You feel just a little bit like the story was written especially for you.
And so this year, I went to London again, only this time, I also took the train to Paris for the day. Oh, the joy. I haven't been in exactly 10 years. It was so great. One of the stops was the famous "Shakespeare and Co." bookstore. The one that is featured in "Before Sunset." I really wanted to buy a book there (it's a whimsical, wonderful place) but didn't find anything, and as I was about to leave, I saw the book. I laughed to myself, because, I mean, come on, it's been a year in the making and this time around I was in both London *and* Paris. And so, I both got a book from the famous store, and got to read the book maybe a month after my visit.
And it was indeed great. Because I just saw it all with my own eyes. And the perfect thing about this book, though it's officially non-fiction (I had no clue), it's not entirely clear if it's %100 loyal to what happened, so you can decide for yourselves if it's made up or not.
The specific edition annoyed me. I wish they'd translated the French expressions that add a lot to the style, I'm sure, and were completely lost on me. Some names are missing, as are swearing words, but there's no foot note to indicate that it was like that in the original version, so one can only assumed.
All that aside, the book itself is intriguing. It really portrays a period (1930's) in two European capitals, for a certain level of society. It makes you wonder about poverty, and if it's the same today, because there's seem to be a kind understanding between the "tramps" of back then, which I'm not sure will be found among them today. Also, author claims that there's a difference between English tramps and American ones which is totally possible but again, who knows what it's like today? I kinda wish George Orwell could re-visit the subject.
And the never ending question of - could they have helped themselves our of the situation? While they really do seem like they've been down on their luck, but then again, whenever they managed to get money, drinking and tobacco were in order, so it makes one wonder.
It's pretty short, quite the quick read and recommended to people who love period pieces, and European capitals.
Cheers.
allan_p's review against another edition
5.0
"I can at least say, Here is the world that awaits you if you are ever penniless."
This book gets a little essay-like at times, but other than that it is brilliant, the world of poverty presented and curated by Orwell is just marvellous.
What does it really mean to be "Down and out"?
This book gets a little essay-like at times, but other than that it is brilliant, the world of poverty presented and curated by Orwell is just marvellous.
What does it really mean to be "Down and out"?