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Coming up for Air

(Modern Classics)

By Peter Davison (Introduction), George Orwell

(32)

| Paperback | 9780141185699

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Book Description

COMING UP FOR AIR is about coping. Orwell hooks a character from among the struggling middle class and, close-up, lets us watch him wiggle. George (Tubby) Bowling is a "fat, middle-aged bloke with false teeth and a red face." He sells insurance, a task at which he grimly excels. The father of two inContinue

Critics

'Coming Up for Air' by George Orwell

The story, which is commonly thought to be thinly veiled autobiography, is narrated by George Bowling, a 45-year-old married man with two children who's bored with his life as an insurance salesman. He lives in the "inner-outer suburbs" in one of tho ... (read full critics)

readingmatters published on Tue, 28 Sep 2010

2 Reviews

Coming Up For Air: George Orwell
Victor Gollancz, 1939; this edition: Penguin, 1973
One of my favourite novels, and for me, Orwell’s best.
George Bowling tries to escape from modern England, and the upcoming Second World War.
He can’t.

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Philip Downer said on Jun 20, 2011 | Add your feedback

This book is described as 'nostalgia' and it really is - and brilliantly done. George Bowling, an insurance salesman, takes a look into his childhood. His descriptions of the customs, the characters, the buildings, the way of life is very moving. This is what life was like before World War Two. The ... (continue)

This book is described as 'nostalgia' and it really is - and brilliantly done. George Bowling, an insurance salesman, takes a look into his childhood. His descriptions of the customs, the characters, the buildings, the way of life is very moving. This is what life was like before World War Two. The war was to change everything. It's worth a look back through the eyes of George Bowling!

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GraJon said on Jul 19, 2008 | Add your feedback