Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying is George Orwell’s biting, semi-autobiographical take on the soul-crushing nature of poverty and the obsession with social status. Set in 1930s London, it follows Gordon Comstock, a talented young poet who decides to wage a one-man war against "the money-god."Gordon quits his "good" job at an advertising agency—which he views as a corrupt industry of lies—and takes a low-paying gig at a dusty bookstore. His goal is to live a simple, creative life free from the pursuit of wealth. However, he quickly learns that being "principled" is much harder when you’re constantly cold, hungry, and can’t afford a pint of beer or a clean shirt.