The novel is considered a poor work by the reviewer, who finds the protagonist Gordon's embittered attitude frequent and the overall novel less compelling.
This reviewer finds Keep the Aspidistra Flying to be a less successful novel in George Orwell's oeuvre. They highlight Gordon Comstock's embittered and often frustrating character, which detracts from the enjoyment of the story. Despite the interesting background and social critique, the novel fails to engage them fully, making it a less rewarding read compared to Orwell's other works. They suggest that Gordon's constant bitterness and the novel's tone may alienate some readers, reducing its overall impact.
Quick quotes
But sadly, as interesting as this background context may be, Keep the Aspidistra Flying is a poor novel.
Gordon's all too frequent embittered attitude hinders the novel's appeal.
The novel lacks the compelling nature found in Orwell's better-known works.