CUK Book Club: Currently reading...

[Old Greg]

Yes very - one of the best books I've read in a while. Wasn't sure what to expect but it's really funny

Well done, sir. One of the most utterly downbeat novels ever IMO. But kind of funny, yes. If you liked that, try the Clergyman's Daughter.

[Lockhouse]

Well done, sir. One of the most utterly downbeat novels ever IMO. But kind of funny, yes. If you liked that, try the Clergyman's Daughter.

I've read all his books and articles again since going into lockdown and I'm currently finishing off an Orwell biography. My favourite was Coming Up For Air. The way he wrote about the past from 1938 is the way I think about my childhood now. Nothing changes.

[Old Greg]

I've read all his books and articles again since going into lockdown and I'm currently finishing off an Orwell biography. My favourite was Coming Up For Air. The way he wrote about the past from 1938 is the way I think about my childhood now. Nothing changes.

Good choice. His best novel IMO. I've been thinking about it recently, because I was swapping texts with my sister in early March that there was real summer-before-the-war feel about things and a vague sadness that things might not be the same again.

I will always have a soft spot for Homage to Catalonia. He's a better essayist though. Have you read his War Commentaries (BBC broadcasts to India)?

[Jog On]

Aspidistra is only my 2nd Orwell after Burmese Days. I’ll probably read them all now


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[Old Greg]

Aspidistra is only my 2nd Orwell after Burmese Days. I’ll probably read them all now


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Apart for the obvious Animal Farm and 1984, I would suggest next:

Clergyman's Daughter if you want something in a similar impoverished middle class vein to Aspidistra

Coming up for Air if you want a really well-written novel (Still downbeat so you own't miss out)

Homage to Catalonia, if you like autobiography - and it's excellent.

Lion and the Unicorn for essays written with a leftist patriotic WW2 tone. He is a very good essayist.

[Jog On]

Apart for the obvious Animal Farm and 1984, I would suggest next:

Clergyman's Daughter if you want something in a similar impoverished middle class vein to Aspidistra

Coming up for Air if you want a really well-written novel (Still downbeat so you own't miss out)

Homage to Catalonia, if you like autobiography - and it's excellent.

Lion and the Unicorn for essays written with a leftist patriotic WW2 tone. He is a very good essayist.

Thanks, I’ll get round to all of them. Don’t think I could do 2 impoverished books in a row. I’ll probably alternate them with the Ian Fleming Bond series.


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[Old Greg]

Thanks, I’ll get round to all of them. Don’t think I could do 2 impoverished books in a row. I’ll probably alternate them with the Ian Fleming Bond series.


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Sounds like a good alternation.

[DoctorStrangelove]

"The Complex" by Nick Turse.

That being the Military Industrial Complex or How I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb.

Much too upbeat, now reading "Danziger's Britain: a journey to the edge".

Danziger’s Britain: A Journey to the Edge: Amazon.co.uk: Danziger, Nick: 9780006382492: Books

It must be said that Mr Danziger's book is a good deal more inneresting and easy to read than the rather tedious Complex offering.

Its detailing of the doings of the underclass back in the mid 90s is illuminating of the way the deindustrialisation of the UK affected things.

We have so much to thank Thatcher & her merry men for.

[Lockhouse]

Have you read his War Commentaries (BBC broadcasts to India)?

Do you have a link as I can't find it? I've read Penguin's "Essays".

[Old Greg]

Do you have a link as I can't find it? I've read Penguin's "Essays".

The War Commentaries: Amazon.co.uk: Orwell, George, West, W.J.: 9780563203490: Books

Not to be confused with the War Broadcasts, which I wouldn't recommend particularly. I would suggest you read the Commentaries alongside the Lion and the Unicorn, although IIRC that is a collection of three essays which you may already have in your Penguin collection.