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buckyeahice's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dar_muzz's review against another edition
4.0
This is a satire set in pre-WW2 London. We are immediately told that the narrator, Gordon, refuses to buy into capitalism. He has turned down job success in favour of a hand-to-mouth existence as a book store clerk and would-be poet. He continuously feels wretched due to having no money for food, cigarettes, treating his friends or going on dates. Yet he will do nothing to change this and become bourgeois. We know all this within a few pages. It was strange to read a book in which the premise and the “moral” are stated so soon and often, and they never change. Whenever you think things can’t get any worse, they do. I was reminded of Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat” and similarly gloomy Russian literature, which I love.
It was actually a funny book and I was alternately amused and annoyed by Gordon Comstock. It raised some excellent points about to what extent we will stand for our principles. How far is too far? What if it has serious negative effects on others? If we cave in and compromise, are we lesser beings for it, or just “being realistic” or being human? Over all, I like books in which the key character is not necessarily likeable, admirable or trustworthy.
Aspidistra was also noteworthy because it really brought home the effects of grinding poverty on productivity, creativity and clear thinking. Gordon’s whole outlook on life changed every time he had a meal or a cigarette or a kind word from a publisher.
PS, This is an aspidistra, or "cast iron plant," which Gordon Comstock finds in all the dreary places in which he lives and works, and it serves as a symbol of drab perseverance:
It was actually a funny book and I was alternately amused and annoyed by Gordon Comstock. It raised some excellent points about to what extent we will stand for our principles. How far is too far? What if it has serious negative effects on others? If we cave in and compromise, are we lesser beings for it, or just “being realistic” or being human? Over all, I like books in which the key character is not necessarily likeable, admirable or trustworthy.
Aspidistra was also noteworthy because it really brought home the effects of grinding poverty on productivity, creativity and clear thinking. Gordon’s whole outlook on life changed every time he had a meal or a cigarette or a kind word from a publisher.
PS, This is an aspidistra, or "cast iron plant," which Gordon Comstock finds in all the dreary places in which he lives and works, and it serves as a symbol of drab perseverance:
gilliadd's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
4.0
alma_lurie_04's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
greciapabon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
celinemc's review against another edition
sad
- 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
gmancam's review against another edition
4.0
Money, capitalism and its effect on ones individual psych as a result. All explored though using an entertaining and thought provoking story. Does a fantastic job showcasing just how much money governs our every day life and like it or not we are a slave to it in some shape or form.
doobyus's review against another edition
4.0
Orwell is magnificent. This book is uncomfortable in the way it touches ones own hidden prejudices, fears, and dreams, and maybe shows them for the tissues they are. He is almost Dostoyevskian in his ability to enter your mind and upset the balance.
Gordon Comstock is clearly something of a fool, but it's a foolishness i share in part, and that may be why it's uncomfortable in parts. There's humour within the bleakness, and Comstock's friends serve to show he has redeeming qualities which are otherwise obscured by his uncomoromising naïvety.
The ending is a little too tidy, and i wonder if there was external pressure exerted in order to close the book with a glimmer of hope?
Thoroughly recommended. Again!
Gordon Comstock is clearly something of a fool, but it's a foolishness i share in part, and that may be why it's uncomfortable in parts. There's humour within the bleakness, and Comstock's friends serve to show he has redeeming qualities which are otherwise obscured by his uncomoromising naïvety.
The ending is a little too tidy, and i wonder if there was external pressure exerted in order to close the book with a glimmer of hope?
Thoroughly recommended. Again!
maggie24601's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0