This is either dismally humorous or humorously dismal, depending on your point of view. Either way Down & Out is a frank look at the life of the (sometimes) working (very) poor in Paris and the "tramps" of London. Readers might wonder how true to life this semi-autobiographical work of fiction is; Orwell did take menial restaurant jobs in Paris and did "live rough" in London. That being said,

I found it hard to forget that this was a choice made by an Old Etonian and graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, to live the Bohemian life in Paris of the late 1920s. Still and all, it's a lively and entertaining read. I was delighted to read that the book is being adapted by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, War Horse) for a film under the direction of Kevin Murphy (Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void). By the way, in addition to reading the book, you might want to give a listen to the book on the BBC Radio 4 website The Real George Orwell.

Reviewed by Melissa

Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1164590__Sdown%20and%20out%20in%20paris%20and%20london%20orwell__Orightresult__X2?lang=eng&suite=pearl