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Keep the Aspidistra Flying cover art

Keep the Aspidistra Flying

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Richard E. Grant
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Summary

Gordon Comstock loathes dull, middle-class respectability and worship of money. He gives up a 'good job' in advertising to work part-time in a bookshop, giving him more time to write. But he slides instead into a self-induced poverty that destroys his creativity and his spirit. Only Rosemary, ever-faithful Rosemary, has the strength to challenge his commitment to his chosen way of life. Through the character of Gordon Comstock, Orwell reveals his own disaffection with the society he once himself renounced.

©2011 CSA Word (P)2011 CSA Word

What listeners say about Keep the Aspidistra Flying

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  • Overall
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Unfairly neglected gem of a master novella!

What a finely sarcastic language and thought, what a fight human vs material world vision

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Middle Class Male Angst Writ Large

Middle Class Male Angst Writ Large
===============================
Orwell’s wise words shine
Richard’s voice delivers fine
Aspidistra flying

Superb listening, so enjoy!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

well read good story but poor editing

I enjoyed the story even though quite depressing at times, it does slow down towards the end. Richard E Grant brilliant narrator. however some poor editing let it down a bit.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Satire

Perhaps not up with 1984 in excellence, but superb satire from George Orwell.

Of course, his writing is razor sharp and with brilliant wit from one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers.

Excellently narrated all through.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great performance spoiled by poor production

The book is decent and ther performance great, but it's obviously been recorded from a CD. Every so often you get a voice saying "end of CD seven" or whatever. At times it sounds like the CD is skipping, although that is only briefly at 2 points.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

As with any audio recording of a book, the choice of narrator is extremely important. I've been waiting for this particular book to come out in audio format for quite some time now (this is my favouritee Orwell novel), and it was worth the wait. The narrator does a brilliant job. This is a thoroughly enjoyable recording.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Orwell.

I enjoyed this story more than I expected. It is one of Orwell’s lesser known novels, but some of the passages are fantastic. The socialist commentary and the “war on money” is enlightening.
Well narrated by Richard E Grant too.
Some sound issues where “end of cd 3...cd4” parts happen, but otherwise a good production.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not his best work

A very long slog through just how contemptible and arrogant Comstock is. Followed by an unsatisfactorily rapid improvement in character once the prospect of a baby appears.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gordon Comstock - the Everyman within us!

George Orwell has that unique knack of making you writhe with discomfort as Gordon the anti- hero 'wages war against money'!
Brilliantly narrated and 'acted' by Richard E Grant - who brings to life the array of characters within the novel - this is an absolute must for every budding poet and literary wannabe!
Utterly Brilliant!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great performance

Richard E Grant performance is amazing. The story is as relevant today as it was a decade ago.

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