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j32em's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
4.75
This ate so much harder than Sayers, I loved the metaphor of the aspidistra to keep themselves respectable
Hate capitalism frrrr
Hate capitalism frrrr
caropullen's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up because I’m also reading Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit and realised I’d only read Animal Farm and 1984 by him, both a long time ago.
This started so well too - brilliant one-liners, lots of atmospheric London background and dialogue. I snorted out loud a few times at the dark, dry humour.
Really wanted to cheer for Gordon, struggling to live a creative life as an impoverished poet, but I’m afraid I just got bored of him. He’s just so relentlessly bitter, repetitive and tiresome. Struggled on to the end.
This started so well too - brilliant one-liners, lots of atmospheric London background and dialogue. I snorted out loud a few times at the dark, dry humour.
Really wanted to cheer for Gordon, struggling to live a creative life as an impoverished poet, but I’m afraid I just got bored of him. He’s just so relentlessly bitter, repetitive and tiresome. Struggled on to the end.
rtnspring's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book with no preconceived ideas on what the book was about, which might be one of the better ways to read the book.
The story is a bit repetitive in reiterating the ideals of the main character. However by halfway these ideas are hammered so deep into your brain you almost get used to them as the character. I found myself torn for half the book whether to sympathise of just hate on the protagonist, which seems to be entirely the point when the plot moves on.
I really enjoyed the book overall. The characterisation was strong and plot moved on at a pace to keep me interested. It’s definitely a book that had characters that stuck in my brain even when I wasn’t reading. I had strong emotions towards the book throughout reading whether good or bad, but strangely never enough to put the book down. Very much recommend!
The story is a bit repetitive in reiterating the ideals of the main character. However by halfway these ideas are hammered so deep into your brain you almost get used to them as the character. I found myself torn for half the book whether to sympathise of just hate on the protagonist, which seems to be entirely the point when the plot moves on.
I really enjoyed the book overall. The characterisation was strong and plot moved on at a pace to keep me interested. It’s definitely a book that had characters that stuck in my brain even when I wasn’t reading. I had strong emotions towards the book throughout reading whether good or bad, but strangely never enough to put the book down. Very much recommend!
lenny729's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
4.5
tindows's review against another edition
dark
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
3.5
lordnelson's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
What
A story of a man, Gordan Constock, mentally confined by his disgust for money. He despises working for moneys sake. To sell your soul to the “Money God” and hates that money determines how good a human you can be hates that it hinders his relationships.
The Aspidistra becomes a symbol for the working class and his hatred towards the “money god” they serve. Eventually through compounding failures and a final opportunity given by Rosemary, by sacrificing his individual freedoms he is able to abandon his previous pessimistic views and “make good” with his “good job” for the sake of family, comfort and self respectability.
How
Orwell writes with beautiful detail and insight. Reminded me of Wildes creative writing in Dorian grey. His story and writing made me feel as if all I had was a heart that felt the pain of spectating Gordan’s struggle and poor decisions built on principles.
True
I certainly believe its themes are relevant. Very easy to relate to. The struggles that come with living a life you have chosen, chosen to live as best a capacity as you can. And then the difficulties of holding to your principles, and realisation of when you are comfortable giving them up for a new purpose.
I think if done intelligently you can find the right balance between having enough to not struggle and still live the life you desire to develop in to all you wish. Ravelston is probably the best example, although wealthy still tries to live a modest life to help his friends. Work to earn enough to live comfortably and support your family but but no more than to enjoy the company of family/friends and individual passions.
Best bits
Laurenheim was one of those people who have not a single friend in the world, and who are devoured by a lust for company
The messy table - a sort of sorted labyrinth of paper, to which only Gordon possessed the key
he ought to work, of course. He always hated himself afterwards when he had wasted a whole evening
Orwells use of “make good” as a compliment meant as a insult from someone Gordan does not want to become
At this moment, he loved her, but did not desire her. His desire could only return it some future time, when there was no quarrel fresh in his mind, and no consciousness before, and four, pence in his pocket to daunt him.
Wisdom learned
When quitting use the term “to better myself” It gets a good reference, people can understand and hold no il feelings towards you.
A story of a man, Gordan Constock, mentally confined by his disgust for money. He despises working for moneys sake. To sell your soul to the “Money God” and hates that money determines how good a human you can be hates that it hinders his relationships.
The Aspidistra becomes a symbol for the working class and his hatred towards the “money god” they serve. Eventually through compounding failures and a final opportunity given by Rosemary, by sacrificing his individual freedoms he is able to abandon his previous pessimistic views and “make good” with his “good job” for the sake of family, comfort and self respectability.
How
Orwell writes with beautiful detail and insight. Reminded me of Wildes creative writing in Dorian grey. His story and writing made me feel as if all I had was a heart that felt the pain of spectating Gordan’s struggle and poor decisions built on principles.
True
I certainly believe its themes are relevant. Very easy to relate to. The struggles that come with living a life you have chosen, chosen to live as best a capacity as you can. And then the difficulties of holding to your principles, and realisation of when you are comfortable giving them up for a new purpose.
I think if done intelligently you can find the right balance between having enough to not struggle and still live the life you desire to develop in to all you wish. Ravelston is probably the best example, although wealthy still tries to live a modest life to help his friends. Work to earn enough to live comfortably and support your family but but no more than to enjoy the company of family/friends and individual passions.
Best bits
Laurenheim was one of those people who have not a single friend in the world, and who are devoured by a lust for company
The messy table - a sort of sorted labyrinth of paper, to which only Gordon possessed the key
he ought to work, of course. He always hated himself afterwards when he had wasted a whole evening
Orwells use of “make good” as a compliment meant as a insult from someone Gordan does not want to become
At this moment, he loved her, but did not desire her. His desire could only return it some future time, when there was no quarrel fresh in his mind, and no consciousness before, and four, pence in his pocket to daunt him.
Wisdom learned
When quitting use the term “to better myself” It gets a good reference, people can understand and hold no il feelings towards you.
kndllcr's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Extrmely cyncical, and at times youre so sick of Gordons shit you kust want to watch him face even more consequences for his squandering and floundering and refusal to give a shit about anyone or anything; but him and Rosemary and realistically extremely cute together. And his poems are quite nice to read. and you hold just the smallest amount of hope that maybe everything works out in the end.
i think the overall bleak ending was actually weirdly nice. despite the Gordon refusing to care until Theres A Kid On The Way (which we all know isnt gonna keep them together) i think him finally going back to advetising and enslaving himself to the money god but ultimately finding joy with Rosemary is .. A. good ending. not the best, but it easily couldve been worse for them (and i was expecting worse)
i disagree with the general narrative that 'you either enslave yourself to capitalism or you struggle endlessly as a starving artist' , but i get its perspective and what its going for. i appreciated the exploration of the idea that 'being poor isnt cheap', but was livid basically every page that someone in gordons life dared to try and help him and he spat back in their face. silly man.
i disagree with the general narrative that 'you either enslave yourself to capitalism or you struggle endlessly as a starving artist' , but i get its perspective and what its going for. i appreciated the exploration of the idea that 'being poor isnt cheap', but was livid basically every page that someone in gordons life dared to try and help him and he spat back in their face. silly man.