Does anybody else get tired of pretending that 1984 and Animal Farm are the only books that George Orwell ever wrote? I know that he has legitimate readers, myself included, but tons of people who call themselves his fans don't seem to have read anything other than those two books.
Why are they only books that anybody ever claims they've read? Because it sounds good in a conversation. That's the whole point of reading to some people.
Keep the Aspidistra Flying was a beautiful and twisted story about angst, passion and poverty. Who ever talks about that? Who conserves electricity and contributes to a coalworkers union because of The Road To Wigan Pier?
Does this bother anyone else about this or another author? Kafka, Hemingway, Huxley, Tolstoy and Ayn Rand are great examples, too.
Where are the real Orwell readers?
Well, i should admit that im a fan of Orwell's 1984, but not of Orwell.
At one point, I read almost every book of Hermann Hesse just to be able to say im a fan of him [and, of course, because i loved all his books hehe], at the other point, try to find any other books by Orwell in lithuania - its simply impossible. We, as a postsoviet country, have everything by all kinds of russian authors, and now print everything by contemporary authors, but the most of the ones who had written like 30 and more years ago are not forgotten, but simply unaccessible.
and its our loss.
Reply:they are prescribed in high school so even weiners can pretend they are cool by quoting concepts.
Reply:Don't forget Homage to Catalonia and the Essays. If you haven't read the essays, hop down to your local library asap and borrow a collection of them. He's so damn *sane* - read his one on Nationalism and you'll see through an awful lot of what we're force fed today.
Reply:I tried to ask an intelligent question about Wittgenstein, Bird and Berlioz and have gotten no where. Join the club. You could get millions of responses if you asked about Brittney Spears or Brad Pitt.
lol
I like Brad P.
Reply:Life is short. Books are long. If we want to read some of every great author, sometimes we're going to have to skip some of the stuff on the back shelves. At least not everyone's reading the da Vinci bloody code. It's always nice to be reminded that there are still real readers in the world. Aspidistra was a clever little book, I liked it a lot.
Reply:I have always enjoyed Politics and the English Language. It's a fantastic essay.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Have you ever read a book that changed how you look at life?
After I read Keep The Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell, I realised I've wasted my life.
Have you ever read a book that changed how you look at life?
I think most worthwhile books shape our thinking. Even if we disagree with them, that helps us learn our limits and form our opinions.
Angela's Ashes showed me how someone can overcome an impoverished childhood to lead an enriched life. Seeing what he experienced, gave me perspective that proved valuable.
Reply:Catcher in the Rye.
Now where did I leave my high powered snipers rifle?
Reply:Indeed I have!
A few years ago, at work, someone hinted that I wasn't intelligent enough to read a book called "Stalingrad" by Antony Beevor. I took the challenge, found the book extremely facinating and discovered how wonderful it is to broaden ones horizon by reading.
I also warmly recommend
"The Gulag Archipelago" by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, which is
a book that everyone should read, it deals with the Stalin death camps and is a collection of stories that Solzhenitsyn heard while spending 25 years in a Russian Gulag camp.
Reply:the Bible %26amp; The Purpose Driven Life %26amp; What On Earth Am I Here For? %26amp; The Success Principles %26amp; How Faith Works %26amp; The Prayer of Jabez %26amp; The Prayer of Jabez for Teens %26amp; Bible Promises To Live By %26amp; Bible Promises %26amp; To Kill A Mockingbird %26amp; A Rose For Melinda %26amp; Gifted Hands %26amp; well I've read a lot of other books and I generally learn a lot from everything I read whether book, magazine, encyclopedia, newspaper, or even cereal box. It's amazing the way we don't pay attention to something one day and the next day it can turn out to be monumental :%26gt;
Reply:"a boy called it" read it a few years ago really sad
Reply:twilight series
Reply:Recently completed with a lot of effort "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance".It certainly changed the way i look at things.
Reply:After reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I realized how lucky I was to be who I was, growing up when and where I did. Hey, I had Mom and Dad and dinner together. My life wasn't threatened. I could receive a fabulous education by just going to public schools that were excellent. I learned to appreciate my life and respect her for becoming the incredible woman she is.
Reply:Celestine Prophecy
Reply:Read the Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver.
Reply:Don't need a book to tell me this.............I have lived it;)
Reply:A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Reply:Postman Pat's Foggy Day - It made me realise how dangerous fog can be when you're driving, and that it's not a good idea to take your cat to work as it may get in to heaps of trouble. Many times have these wondrous anecdotes improved upon my life and given me knowledge that very few people can say they have!
Reply:Yes, but I have lost the drive since then. Maybe, I should read it again.
Reply:Try any by Krishnamurti.
Reply:The book that changed the way i look at life is called "Mind Over Mood" I had suffered with depression and this book made me see things differently for example i went day by day for 2 years worrying that i would have another panic attack but this book helps you work your way through certain exercises to view your problems in a positive way - i would recommend it to anyone author Dennis Greenburger. Also read all the Pelzer books, they too had an effect!
Reply:"The Gift" by "Mia Dolan"
Reply:embraced by the light
Reply:Night. it's a book about the holocaust. i forgot who wrote it.
Reply:Yes, I certainly did, I bought an old book from my library which had been withdrawn from circulation. It taught me to believe nothing I read, unless it was absolutely proven beyond any doubt, ( including the book I was reading) and that I could verifiy it myself if need be. I am talking about Anthropology, and Darwins theory of evolution. I honestly believe that we have to go back to the beginning, and start all over again, because what we have got is a lot of downright lies and deceite, and a lot of backstabbing. It's amazing what some folk will do for a bit of recognition.
Reply:Mitch Albom's books...
Also, the Brother's Grimm and other stories during the middle ages made me hate Disney. Especially now that they've created HSM.
Reply:The water babies
Reply:The Bible
Reply:twilight series
Have you ever read a book that changed how you look at life?
I think most worthwhile books shape our thinking. Even if we disagree with them, that helps us learn our limits and form our opinions.
Angela's Ashes showed me how someone can overcome an impoverished childhood to lead an enriched life. Seeing what he experienced, gave me perspective that proved valuable.
Reply:Catcher in the Rye.
Now where did I leave my high powered snipers rifle?
Reply:Indeed I have!
A few years ago, at work, someone hinted that I wasn't intelligent enough to read a book called "Stalingrad" by Antony Beevor. I took the challenge, found the book extremely facinating and discovered how wonderful it is to broaden ones horizon by reading.
I also warmly recommend
"The Gulag Archipelago" by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, which is
a book that everyone should read, it deals with the Stalin death camps and is a collection of stories that Solzhenitsyn heard while spending 25 years in a Russian Gulag camp.
Reply:the Bible %26amp; The Purpose Driven Life %26amp; What On Earth Am I Here For? %26amp; The Success Principles %26amp; How Faith Works %26amp; The Prayer of Jabez %26amp; The Prayer of Jabez for Teens %26amp; Bible Promises To Live By %26amp; Bible Promises %26amp; To Kill A Mockingbird %26amp; A Rose For Melinda %26amp; Gifted Hands %26amp; well I've read a lot of other books and I generally learn a lot from everything I read whether book, magazine, encyclopedia, newspaper, or even cereal box. It's amazing the way we don't pay attention to something one day and the next day it can turn out to be monumental :%26gt;
Reply:"a boy called it" read it a few years ago really sad
Reply:twilight series
Reply:Recently completed with a lot of effort "Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance".It certainly changed the way i look at things.
Reply:After reading Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I realized how lucky I was to be who I was, growing up when and where I did. Hey, I had Mom and Dad and dinner together. My life wasn't threatened. I could receive a fabulous education by just going to public schools that were excellent. I learned to appreciate my life and respect her for becoming the incredible woman she is.
Reply:Celestine Prophecy
Reply:Read the Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver.
Reply:Don't need a book to tell me this.............I have lived it;)
Reply:A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb
Reply:Postman Pat's Foggy Day - It made me realise how dangerous fog can be when you're driving, and that it's not a good idea to take your cat to work as it may get in to heaps of trouble. Many times have these wondrous anecdotes improved upon my life and given me knowledge that very few people can say they have!
Reply:Yes, but I have lost the drive since then. Maybe, I should read it again.
Reply:Try any by Krishnamurti.
Reply:The book that changed the way i look at life is called "Mind Over Mood" I had suffered with depression and this book made me see things differently for example i went day by day for 2 years worrying that i would have another panic attack but this book helps you work your way through certain exercises to view your problems in a positive way - i would recommend it to anyone author Dennis Greenburger. Also read all the Pelzer books, they too had an effect!
Reply:"The Gift" by "Mia Dolan"
Reply:embraced by the light
Reply:Night. it's a book about the holocaust. i forgot who wrote it.
Reply:Yes, I certainly did, I bought an old book from my library which had been withdrawn from circulation. It taught me to believe nothing I read, unless it was absolutely proven beyond any doubt, ( including the book I was reading) and that I could verifiy it myself if need be. I am talking about Anthropology, and Darwins theory of evolution. I honestly believe that we have to go back to the beginning, and start all over again, because what we have got is a lot of downright lies and deceite, and a lot of backstabbing. It's amazing what some folk will do for a bit of recognition.
Reply:Mitch Albom's books...
Also, the Brother's Grimm and other stories during the middle ages made me hate Disney. Especially now that they've created HSM.
Reply:The water babies
Reply:The Bible
Reply:twilight series
Anybody no the song with the words "you have such a lovely aspidistra"?
Is there a search engine for such arcane info? I think the song was popular in the late 1800s.
Anybody no the song with the words "you have such a lovely aspidistra"?
Try http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkjz.v55Gf7...
Anybody no the song with the words "you have such a lovely aspidistra"?
Try http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkjz.v55Gf7...
What is a good research paper topic for George Orwell?
I need to write a research paper on George Orwell relating to his books: "1984" and "Keep the Aspidistra Flying". I've read both books and understand them both, but I cant come up with a topic to research. Please only post actual topic questions, rather than suggestions.
What is a good research paper topic for George Orwell?
George Orwell was considered at the time of writing as rather "out there" as far as his vision of the future. Now, he is considered prophetic by many. An interesting topic would be to compare several items that Orwell "foretold" by his writings and show how his vision has been realized or how it shortly will be realized by present day societies.
Reply:I've only read 1984, but you might want to research his political views and opinions. Write about how they influenced his writing. Like I know that 1984 is supposed to be anti-communist and a fictional version of the Soviet Union's government under Lenin (or Stalin--can't remember which).
Reply:Gosh... I would probably write on how much his writing style improved from one of his first novels to his most important. "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is pretty terrible.
I would probably write on the importance of the female love interest to the plot/message of the novel. Actually, I think that is the best.
Compare/Contrast Julia's role to the woman in Aspidistra (I forgot her name)
arenas
What is a good research paper topic for George Orwell?
George Orwell was considered at the time of writing as rather "out there" as far as his vision of the future. Now, he is considered prophetic by many. An interesting topic would be to compare several items that Orwell "foretold" by his writings and show how his vision has been realized or how it shortly will be realized by present day societies.
Reply:I've only read 1984, but you might want to research his political views and opinions. Write about how they influenced his writing. Like I know that 1984 is supposed to be anti-communist and a fictional version of the Soviet Union's government under Lenin (or Stalin--can't remember which).
Reply:Gosh... I would probably write on how much his writing style improved from one of his first novels to his most important. "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is pretty terrible.
I would probably write on the importance of the female love interest to the plot/message of the novel. Actually, I think that is the best.
Compare/Contrast Julia's role to the woman in Aspidistra (I forgot her name)
arenas
Has anybody else seen keep the aspidistra flying?
I liked it although I didn't get it: what is orwell trying to say? I get either feeling from orwell's volumes, without an 'xclusion of The Road To Wigan Pier.
Has anybody else seen keep the aspidistra flying?
I read it a while back and remember liking it. It's about the need for money
Reply:Certainly 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' has been made into a movie - it was made in 1997 and starred Richard E. Grant as Gordon Comstock and Helena Bonham Carter as Rosemary.
The book and film are semi-autobiographical, and depict Gordon, who wants to be published as a poet, slowly being forced into what he (and presumably Orwell) saw as wage-slavery, giving up all the ideas of his radical youth in order to earn a regular wage.
Reply:I assume you mean the George Orwell book. I read it ages ago. If it's been made into a movie, I haven't heard of it.
Reply:I saw that film but not all the way through as I got bored with it. I preferred the book. I thought the book was all about the need for money to make life bearable, and having to worship the money god. A common theme in Orwell's 1930s novels was the state of the country then, and how he felt it would be blown away by bombs.
Has anybody else seen keep the aspidistra flying?
I read it a while back and remember liking it. It's about the need for money
Reply:Certainly 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' has been made into a movie - it was made in 1997 and starred Richard E. Grant as Gordon Comstock and Helena Bonham Carter as Rosemary.
The book and film are semi-autobiographical, and depict Gordon, who wants to be published as a poet, slowly being forced into what he (and presumably Orwell) saw as wage-slavery, giving up all the ideas of his radical youth in order to earn a regular wage.
Reply:I assume you mean the George Orwell book. I read it ages ago. If it's been made into a movie, I haven't heard of it.
Reply:I saw that film but not all the way through as I got bored with it. I preferred the book. I thought the book was all about the need for money to make life bearable, and having to worship the money god. A common theme in Orwell's 1930s novels was the state of the country then, and how he felt it would be blown away by bombs.
Does aspidistra need much water?
I've been watering my mother-in-law's tongue but I don't want to drown it.
Does aspidistra need much water?
Evenly moist but not constantly wet is the ideal way to water this plant, although it will survive forgotten waterings. Outside, plant the Aspidistra in a good quality garden soil with decayed manure and up to 1/3 part peat or humus added. Indoors a good quality potting soil like those made for African Violets will work well. And last but not least, fertilize if required every three to four months in low light conditions with a half strength house plant fertilizer, and monthly at high light levels.
Does aspidistra need much water?
Evenly moist but not constantly wet is the ideal way to water this plant, although it will survive forgotten waterings. Outside, plant the Aspidistra in a good quality garden soil with decayed manure and up to 1/3 part peat or humus added. Indoors a good quality potting soil like those made for African Violets will work well. And last but not least, fertilize if required every three to four months in low light conditions with a half strength house plant fertilizer, and monthly at high light levels.
Where can I buy a Cast iron plant (Aspidistra)?
what stores sell it? home depot or something? i live in illinois. do you know of any online stores that sell it?
Where can I buy a Cast iron plant (Aspidistra)?
Buy it here or Home Depot.
http://www.stokestropicals.com/detail.as...
Thanks
Where can I buy a Cast iron plant (Aspidistra)?
Buy it here or Home Depot.
http://www.stokestropicals.com/detail.as...
Thanks
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