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Down and Out in Paris and London

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Down and Out in Paris and London

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Jeremy Northam
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About this listen

An autobiographical study, Down and Out in Paris and London follows Orwell as he tramps around both Paris and London. Pawning his belongings to buy food, unemployment, drinking heavily and jostling for a place in homeless hostels are but a few of the experiences related with candour and insight in this unabridged exclusive audiobook. Orwell was arguably one of the first 'gonzo' journalists.

In this unabridged, enlightening and often shocking expose of life on the streets of two of Europe's most romanticised and celebrated cities, Orwell describes in detail the day-to-day life of a 'down-and-out', which involves hunger, filth, derision and often prejudice and violence. Alcohol is also a staple distraction on both sides of the channel for the destitute, and Orwell's comments on issues such as the emasculation of a man when he becomes a tramp (women see him as 'less than' a man and will not interact with him) are truly fascinating.

©1933 George Orwell Estate (P)2009 CSA Word Classics Poverty & Homelessness Social Sciences Inspiring Thought-Provoking England

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I had no expectations for this book, never having read it nor heard anything of it. It is, naturally, a tale of it’s time - full of the ignorant and bigoted language of a different era - but with an ageless quality nevertheless. For a person who has never experienced much misfortune in his life this book is a window into that world where catch 22s abound and the natural trajectory appears inevitably downwards.

There is something irresistible though about such escapism, regardless of the woeful experiences of the author.

The narrator was excellent.

Lessons from a different age, for this one

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I adore George Orwell, not only is he an incredibly gifted writer, he's a cat with nine lives. From living in Burma to fighting in the Spanish Civil War, Orwell has a lived a life rich with experiences hence he is able to make observations many journalists cannot. In this case, Orwell lived in squalor and absolute poverty in both Paris and London, not out of choice mind, but because he had become destitute and extremely poor during his early 20s.

His life living with an extrovert Russian in Paris is vivid, describing real hunger, having had nothing to eat for several days. He ends up working in a few godforsaken squalid hotels in Paris as a dishwasher, with long hours just to make ends meet and quench his hunger. Eventually, after working with rats, he has no choice but to return to England (borrowing money) and finds that it isn't much different. The homeless shelters are basically prison cells, dark and dangerous, but a way to keep off the streets.

In the end, he attempts to give recommendations to what can be done to alleviate the plight of the poverty stricken. It is another interesting chapter of his short but eventful life.

George Orwell, a man of many experiences

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One assumes Orwell a rather morose but eloquent character. One of those great writers you thank your lucky stars never to have the ill luck to have met with and if you ever did, beastly difficult to contemplate a real belly laugh with.

Not to say that he didn’t have a sense of humour, because he did and a clever one. His sense of irony suggests was even more keen.

But the man’s writing talent is such that he furnishes his reader all the tools he needs to remain standing after his expose of realism with a 1000 mile stare.

The only weakness is the needless incision of some moralistic social commentary toward the end of the work which is a good argument that the artist should let his art to the talking, allowing the reader to draw his own conclusions.

The narration was consistent and fitting the style.

Grey and brilliant writing with a taste of ashes

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Orwell recounts his experiences of being down and out in the 30s first in Paris and then in London. He observes the man-made social hierarchies that exist at every level of society and how keeping people stuck at their level in the social hierarchy benefits those above them. His insights get to the heart of what man is when he is stripped down to nothing and how one man is much like the other regardless of race or creed. Orwell calls for a humane view of people found to be down and out and a revamping of work houses to benefit both those who need them and society. It gives a scathing account of religiosity and how charity and piety are forced down the throats of those who seek food from churches and the salvation army before they can get any and how degrading this is. Way ahead of it's time and fantastically written as well as narrated. I loved how Orwell did a trip-advisor style list of places to sleep it down and out in London. You can see how some of his earlier encounters may have influenced later writing; whitewashed rooms being viewed more oppressive than dirt, social oppression, 2 month old razors and attempts to control thought and activity, language and freedom of thought.

Highly recommend this book and wish I had read it sooner.

Incredibly astute and before its time

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this was not what I thought it would be, it's much better: witty, informative- much more than these things. read it! listen to him.

highly reccomend

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I had only read 1984, and although I loved the story and ideas that Orwell depicts in that work, I found the prose stodgy and heavy going. Here I was engaged from the start enriched by the large cast of characters with whom our main protagonist comes into contact. The writing is detailed, descriptive, and wonderfully scenic that I often found myself hungering for a slice of bread with butter and a glass of cheap wine to wash it down. A fantastic book, well performed by Jeremy Northam

Survival at a lowest point

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Really enjoyed listening to Jeremy Northam’s reading of Down and Out in Paris.
Great book, great listen.

A great performance of a classic book

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i really loved this book. insightful funny and poignant. it is very well read with dodgy accents that keep you enthralled. but its the world described by Orwell as an part of a metropolitan underclass that just made me captivated.

fascinating.

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A brilliant man and an account that helps make me rethink my views on life. Well read and interesting.

A brilliant man

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Great performance, great story.
The only thing that let it down was the silly music between chapters.

Very Good

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