Down and Out in Paris and London Audiobook By George Orwell cover art

Down and Out in Paris and London

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Down and Out in Paris and London

By: George Orwell
Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
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Orwell's own experiences inspire this semi-autobiographical novel about a man living in Paris in the early 1930s without a penny. The narrator's poverty brings him into contact with strange incidents and characters, which he manages to chronicle with great sensitivity and graphic power. The latter half of the book takes the English narrator to his home city, London, where the world of poverty is different in externals only.

A socialist who believed that the lower classes were the wellspring of world reform, Orwell actually went to live among them in England and on the continent. His novel draws on his experiences of this world, from the bottom of the echelon in the kitchens of posh French restaurants to the free lodging houses, tramps, and street people of London. In the tales of both cities, we learn some sobering truths about poverty and society.

©1962 S. M. Pitt-Rivers (P)1993 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction England Funny

Critic reviews

"Genuine, unexaggerated, and intelligent." - ( New Republic)
"The most lucid portrait of poverty in the English language...combines good narrative with wit, humor, and honest realism." ( The Nation)
"Excellent...a model of the realistic approach." ( New York Times Book Review)

Featured Article: 40+ Thought-Provoking George Orwell Quotes


George Orwell transformed literature with his piercing social commentary and allegorical style. His works have become so entrenched in popular culture that the term "Orwellian" is used to describe totalitarian and authoritarian societies. Orwell also wrote nonfiction books and essays that similarly express his gift for satire and controversial views on government. Throughout his writing career, he never feared tackling challenging topics, no matter how subversive.

Featured Article 40+ Thought Provoking George Orwell Quotes
Vivid Descriptions • Colorful Characters • Insightful Social Commentary • Authentic Experiences • Engaging Storytelling
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There were enough interesting stories and vignettes to make this read like a novel. Interspersed are Orwell's observations - which are concise and thoughtful. I happen to like the narrator. As such, it was an enjoyable listen for me.

Surprisingly Engaging

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This is a thoughtful and colorful tale that is a sympathetic portrait of post WWI poverty but sadly marred by Orwell’s anti-Semitism, which I was unprepared for.

Great but for the anti-Semitism

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The narrator awesomely voices all the characters. The stories are full of social commentary and interesting stories. Highly recommend.

Brilliantly voiced. Wonderful stories

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This books contains lots of interesting anecdotes and stories. It will for instance change the way you see restaurants and what happens in the kitchen.

Excellent performance adding to the text

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This is an interesting book opening one to a style of living that you will never experience hopefully.

I liked how the stories were told

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Very interesting story on living on the poverty line in the 1920s. Davidson's accents are brilliant.

Hilariously enlightening

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interesting look at poverty when there were no handouts from the government. 2 things came to mind. freedom us having nothing left to lose. the other was a comment from my grandfather about the Depression. wasn't bad, if you had a job.

Poverty 1930s style

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As always Orwell sheds light on aspects and feelings of society that are missed or passed by for the masses.

Orwell's thought provoking writing

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Poverty is the most interesting of topics to me. Never enough books on the topic. this is one classics I have never managed to read. It was a great pleasure to finally do so.

Loved Orwell’s description of poverty

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This was a great book and the readers accent was perfect for it. I very much enjoyed this!

His voice is beautiful

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