George Orwell, Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Nigel Williams

Ed. by Peter Childs, Birmingham Newman University
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication Apr 1936

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Novel

Resources

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Written in 1935,

Keep the Aspidistra Flying

was Orwell’s fourth published work and his third novel. Orwell, far from satisfied with the outcome, subsequently wrote,

There are two or three books which I am ashamed of and have not allowed to be reprinted or translated, and that [Keep the Aspidistra Flying] is one of them […]At that time I simply hadn’t a book in me, but I was half starved and had to turn out something to bring in £100 or so. (CEJL 4: 241)

There are two or three books which I am ashamed of and have not allowed to be reprinted or translated, and that [

Keep the Aspidistra Flying]

is one of them […]At that time I simply hadn’t a book in me, but I was half starved and had to turn out something to bring in £100 or so. (

CEJL 4

: 241)

However, in castigating Keep

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1800 words

Citation: Williams, Nigel. "Keep the Aspidistra Flying". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 03 May 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4252, accessed 25 April 2024.]

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