Keep the Aspidistra Flying

"Long Live the Fig Tree!" (1936) — a bitter, ironic, and in many ways autobiographical novel. The main character is Gordon Comstock, an unrecognized poet, a failed writer who has to serve in an advertising agency to make a living. He has a real talent for writing slogans, but his job inspires disgust—it feels like a caricature of literary creativity. He despises material values and the vulgarity of everyday life, symbolized by the fig tree in the window. In all his failures he blames money, but proud poverty only drives him deeper into depression… Comstock has to understand that besides high art there are also simple joys, and striving to earn money is nothing shameful. So what will save him?