Down and Out in Paris and London

1933



My only inclusion of George Orwell is NOT science-fiction. Down and Out in Paris and London more closely resembles 'On the Road' than 19841984. This book is a thinly disguised autobiography of Orwell's time bopping around Europe as a broke young dude.

I am pretty sure the only fictitious part of this novel are the names of anyone mentioned in it. Fans of talking animals and tyrranical futuristic governments may be disappointed in this very real accounting of poverty in early 1900's Europe, but those interested in the roots of Bohemianism and the timeless charm that can be found the underground will love this novel dearly.

I especially enjoyed the chapters in which Orwell works in a hotel in Paris. While anyone in the hospitality industry may know that many of our traditions hail back in time, and especially from France, it is startling nonetheless to have the nature of hotel employees laid out so starkly and accurately. Indeed, hotel kitchens have changed very little over the past 80 years!

Throughout the narrative Orwell takes down observations in a thoughtful, factual and mostly objective manner. He has used his time to really think through the circumstances and nature of everyone he meets, and it is refreshing to read the conclusions he reaches knowing his thought process.
It did take me a long time to read this novel, it is certainly not the most exciting story (strike that: there is no story at all), but overall I very much enjoyed the style, humor and education that Down and Out provided.

I truly don't know why I read it. Like a lot of the books I read, it was recommended to me by a friend, article in a magazine, blog or recommended reading list, or referenced in another book I read in annotations or some other referall that compelled me to add it to the list. I suppose Orwell is considered a science-fiction author, and certainly considered a literary great, so it's always good to be assured that I am ingesting quality in addition to stories about grown men wearing rocket packs. But a great deal of this book is spent with the main characters trying to figure out what they can take to the pawn shop in order to get money for food and cigarettes, and failing that, looking on the street for bread crumbs and cigarette butts that might be re-lightable.

Some folks list this as one of their favorite books ever. I don't get it. Animal Farm is a lot more entertaining and meaningful. But parts of this book were funny and thought provoking.

Certainly there is no fictional timeline importance here. Just some stark realism about the economics and social class divisions of the early twentieth century, and a slice of life of another significant author who inserted himself as a fictional character into a book.

On the upside, D&OiP&L sets a nice stage for the upcoming second world war. If you thought vampires in WWI were exciting, wait until you see Navy ships fighting lizardmen!