A review by rhonaindabooks
Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell

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. 
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