Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Money is what God used to be, and good and evil have no meaning. Gordon Comstock leaves his job in advertising to pursue an ill-fated career as a poet, and Rosemary challenges his self-destructive course. This novel is a key transitional text in Orwell's career, offering a powerful portrayal of the emotional toll of precarity and the desire to break with capitalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Money, once regarded as a divine force, has lost its moral essence. Good and evil have become mere abstractions, overshadowed by the pursuit of success and the avoidance of failure. Gordon Comstock, disillusioned by society's materialistic mindset, quits his job in advertising to pursue an uncertain career as a poet. In his relentless pursuit of fame and fortune, he alienates everyone around him, including his long-suffering girlfriend, Rosemary.

The novel delves into profound reflections on the role of the author and the artistic imagination, particularly in the context of the literary marketplace and societal expectations. Orwell completed this work while journeying north to work on "The Road to Wigan Pier," marking a significant transitional phase in his career.

"Keep the Aspidistra Flying" offers a powerful portrayal of the emotional toll of precarity and the yearning to escape the constraints of capitalism. It stands as a significant work of mid-century British fiction, resonating with our contemporary concerns.

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Weight: 196g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198858317