Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying – 3.5 stars

For this book, I think it’s helpful to clearly separate style from content. Stylistically, it’s exactly what you’d expect from Orwell: masterful command of language, impeccable pacing, and a beautiful, fluid tone. As for the story itself, it’s quite simple and intentionally repetitive around its central theme. The characters are one-dimensional, and the book often feels more like a personal catharsis or a stylistic exercise than a fully developed work of literature. Still, even when Orwell writes something uneven or overly introspective, his prose makes it a pleasure to read.