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Average Customer Rating:

Not his finest but still worth the read

Customer Rating:

Despite its autobiographical nature this book is perhaps the least powerful of all Orwell's books that I have read so far. Whilst it does provide some insight into the lives of the less well off Orwell never quite seems to join their ranks and he story is that of an Old Etonian fallen upon hard times. Nevertheless he is still a skilful author and whilst this book may not be as thought provoking or as damming as his other books there is still plenty of meat to chew on and is still a useful answer to those who still link poverty with laziness.

A sympathetic and gripping view of homelessness which despite its age never dates

Customer Rating:

This seems to me to be one of the more personal of Orwell's books. Supposedly written from life experiences Orwell plunges us into the lives of those who have no homes and whose daily fight for existence on the streets is made more complex by a stifling social order, unsympathetic policemen and a charitable system which demands so much of those that it claims to help that it leaves them with less dignity than they started off with. Orwell seems to have an affinity with the world of dirt and grime. He writes with gut wrenching realism about the simple details that most authors with a social axe to grind might forget. It is these details which allow you as the reader to become immersed in the horrors of the world he paints. There is much sympathy here, which when compared to another classic tale of homelessness and its social problems, Jack London's People of the Abyss, is a welcome relief and another crucial 'in' into this world. This book should be read alongside The Road to Wigan Pier, another of Orwell's views of the lives of the poor. This has less of a political axe to grind, and in my opinion this makes it a better book, but you will not regret reading them both.

A strange gift

Customer Rating:

George Orwell had a strange gift in his writing. This was a man of extraordinary intellect that was able somehow to put so simply his ideas and concepts over that it puts almost every other author to shame. Sometimes reading his work its like borrowing a brain far in advanced of your own, or like the best teacher you ever had. One that inspires and encourages. Down and Out is my favorite of all his books, though they are all worth reading. Pure genius from Mr Blair.

George does it so you dont have to

Customer Rating:

Despite its subject matter that at times can be harrowing and bleak, down and out is still an entertaining and easy read. The chapters are short and the writing style friendly that makes the book difficult to put down. Before writing Orwell threw himself right into the heart of poverty in Paris and London. He lived in squalor, went hungry, and let himself be exploited. He worked seventeen hour days as a dishwasher and slept amongst disease ridden people on urine stained sheets in London's workhouses. He did this all because he wanted to get into the souls of the most destitute people of society. Rather than invent some crazy intellectual theories Orwell instead just talks with people and becomes there friend. He seems to be someone who loves human beings and gets great joy from listening to individuals and watching there behaviour. He sees through the stupidity surrounding society and has affection for the individual at the heart of it all. However he stays resolutely British, his anger always quiet and sneering, rather than fist pumping and passionate, and he never becomes sentimental or corny in his support of those at the bottom. You cant help but admire Orwells attitude. Whilst many people talk about poverty from the sidelines, he was determined to understand poverty from the point of view of the people living in it. I myself would not have been able to hack what Orwell put himself through, and would have quit after the first few days. He is strong willed and fearless, thirsty for experience and sees no reason why he shouldn't live in squalor if it means him growing closer to those at the bottom of society. Sometimes Orwell can use phrases that seem a little bit politically incorrect today, and you can argue that he wasn't entirely genuine because he was never going to be in poverty for the rest of his life, but Down and Out in Paris and London still hits you hard, and is still ahead of its time. It makes me laugh to think of all the Liberal middle classes of the time reading this book. It would have blown there minds, some would have cheered, and in others it would have incited anger. With me it made me feel guilty for getting depressed about my part time job that I do as a student. I hate the work, but after reading down and out I feel that I should stop whining and get on with it. I'm going to try and work harder rather than skive and do as little as possible. Although our society has undoubtedly moved on since the 1930's you cant help but see some similarities between then and now. The poor still get exploited in society, by loan companies for example. And our society still seems to hold the view that if you are poor then you must be lazy as well. Orwell blew apart that myth in the 1930's and he is still doing it today, and probably will be for the rest of time. Its just a shame no one seems to be able to catch up with him.

A thoroughly enjoyable read

Customer Rating:

There's not many books that can make me laugh out loud. But this is one of them. It also makes you think about your life and the lives of the homeless you see on your way to work everyday. And it does all this without being pretentious. It also makes for a surprisingly easy read. Based on Orwells life of being homeless in Paris, it follows how he manages to cope, the stories and the people he meets. When he finally does get a job, the tales of his work life in the hotels and cafes make for enjoyable lough-out-loud reading pleasure. I wasn't sure of George Orwell before. I'd read Animal Farm & 1984 and found them to be delightfully dark. This book was written way before then. It's a light hearted easy read that I will be recommending to many friends. Every generation should be made to read Geroge Orwell. Or at least this book.