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sophie42's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Gordon is one of the most frustrating people I’ve ever read about. He is simultaneously aware that all his problems are caused by a lack of money and frustrated that he can’t do the things he wants to do, while also stubbornly refusing to do anything about it. And I understand WHY he’s refusing to do anything about it (his principles etc) however you’d think he’d accept his lot in life and his borderline poverty since it’s within his power to change it! The fact he is constantly complaining and yet refusing to fix it makes him so incredibly irritating i can’t imagine how rosemary and revelston put up with it.
I do appreciate that Gordon’s perspective is a critique on capitalism, and he does outline his reasons for acting the way he does, however his inner monologue always brings it back to money and not the structure of society, and when he could so easily have a bit more money, and be a lot happier, I find it hard to sympathise! He is also incredibly selfish and doesn’t think from anyone’s perspective but his own. When he sent the letter to Doring I should’ve put the book down then and there. Gordon’s meandering little life employs the same writing style of Orwell’s that I have enjoyed in the past, however Gordon’s entire personality made this one incredibly difficult to get through.
I do appreciate that Gordon’s perspective is a critique on capitalism, and he does outline his reasons for acting the way he does, however his inner monologue always brings it back to money and not the structure of society, and when he could so easily have a bit more money, and be a lot happier, I find it hard to sympathise! He is also incredibly selfish and doesn’t think from anyone’s perspective but his own. When he sent the letter to Doring I should’ve put the book down then and there. Gordon’s meandering little life employs the same writing style of Orwell’s that I have enjoyed in the past, however Gordon’s entire personality made this one incredibly difficult to get through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Classism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying and Death of parent
Gordon does not take No for an answer and entirely pushes the boundaries of consent. This was difficult and frustrating to read, although it was written decades ago when standards for consent were different. Gordon thinks everyone is out to get him, and takes rosemary’s ‘No’s as a personal attack, and pressures her quite graphically on multiple occasions.vawiskandarrr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
florenceassetto's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i knew i disliked orwell's writing going into the book but yet again i was so utterly disappointed by the overwhelming misogynistic antisemitic tone that was so familiar of 1984! this book i found hard to read and honestly, utterly boring, so it took a while and i would not reccomend - i was SO excited to hear a criticism on capitalism and this book just reminded me that i don't like to hear anything from orwell!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual assault
rhonaindabooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Genuinely an excellent read, I found myself literally despising Gordon (the main character) which I hope Orwell intended as it made this book all the more interesting. Gordon is deeply flawed, driven by an ideology that seems honourable enough but essentially wreaks havoc in all areas of his life. This book explores our relationship with money and how it can be a curse and a blessing but ultimately all consuming- all characters seems to forge a different but difficult relationship with it. Just as a trigger warning and part of the reason I despised Gordon- he treats women as pawns and does basically pressurise and sexually assault Rosemary (his girlfriend) I think this was intentional and Orwell trying to explain how money corrupts- not sure, but this is why Gordon is so bloody unlikeable. Overall, an excellent read full of anxt and philosophy around capitalism.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Misogyny
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