Questions About Down and Out in Paris and London

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Answered Questions (4)

Anna I'm in the process of reading the book. One favourite scene so far is when Boris takes the author to a cobbler to ask for money. Boris and the cobbler…moreI'm in the process of reading the book. One favourite scene so far is when Boris takes the author to a cobbler to ask for money. Boris and the cobbler end up having a huge fight, get drunk and become friends. Boris ends up staying there overnight, and the author is just left all befuddled and out of the loop. (less)

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Orwell is a good writer, yes? He deserves better. The book pictured at your headline is a fake, sold by Amazon, adulterated in ways that alter the experience of reading the thing, misrepresent the author, and cheat the legitimate publisher. I am appalled you keep an Amazon button in your Get a Copy section, because fake, badly copied, miserably-edited, bootleg versions of books are par for the course over there.

Jay It's not too surprising that Goodreads has an Amazon button in its Get a Copy section - Amazon owns Goodreads.
…moreIt's not too surprising that Goodreads has an Amazon button in its Get a Copy section - Amazon owns Goodreads.
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Compare to Steinbecks's "Tortilla Flat", account based on his experiences and those of friends in 1920's/30's San Diego. TF is a Disney view of life wih out much money, Down & Out is a rough raw existence or underpaid/overworked kitchen labour in Paris and destitute tramps in London. You might almost want to join the denizens of Tortilla Flat for a weekend but would youwant to spend a week in Orwell's Paris & London?

Dr Susan Turner Paris every time! Money or no!

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How does this compare to Laurie Lee's memoirs of busking in Spain a few years later? Or Patrick Lee Fermour's hike across Europe (with cash support from home) 1933-35? Can you recommend other accounts of working across Europe since these years? Any German wandervogel accounts translated into English?

Liana Down and out reads as the (mostly) true story of young writer estranged from his parents who finds himself in a period of his life without any money a…moreDown and out reads as the (mostly) true story of young writer estranged from his parents who finds himself in a period of his life without any money and unable to get a job. His poverty and starvation were only a temporary time in his life, but the impression is that he was genuinely stuck in these circumstances, not that it was a choice.

I read a time of gifts eight years ago, but it seemed that the lifestyle of the two boys came from a choice to earn and spend as little money as possible. They lived as bums and often went without food or shelter, but they weren't forced into the circumstances in the same way it seems Orwell was.(less)

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