The other week I finished reading George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London which I absolutely loved and recommend it highly to you (yes, I know most people have read it, where have I been? I dunno)- its a brilliant and smart account of his time of being penniless and hungry, both in Paris and in London: but as its Orwell of course thats not all it is. It is a non-damning commentary on society, the way we treat the homeless and the poor: i say non damning because he doesn't preach really, its his recollections, his memoirs. But he is sharp and has strong opinions about how we as a society ought to support people (in a non preachy way!) - he always struck me as common sense sorta chap. Supporting people to support themselves where possible - and just support people because they really need our support. not our damning of them.
Its fairly embarrassing that in 2009 we haven't moved on so much in London - ok so we don't have 'spikes' in the same sense as they did in the 1930's but we still have homeless people who are hungry and cold and alone. In London. In 2009. Not that I expect everything in the 21st century world to be fixed or anything (yup, am waiting for Obama to sort that bit out), but we all know that deprivation and poverty in the city of such wealth is just rubbish. In my cynical moods I really wonder if the bankers and city folks have just lost all perspective in relation to the value of money and how much impact such small amounts for food, water and shelter can make- given the sums of money they deal with, the value(s) of their homes, the capital in their cars, the amount they have invested, the amount of credit they have (or had) access to. The big bucks have really skewed the way that people (often people who have the power, money and influence to really change things) have the big bucks skewed their ability to see the difference they can make? But we all know its not only rich people who can make a difference (although perhaps this recent downturn and recession might impact on the way those financial folks view those less well off then themselves?).
There have always been rich people and poor people. There has always been philanthropy, to varying degrees. But there hasn't always been such an expansive welfare state as we have now in the UK, and I believe in it - but its not fully functioning because too many people fall through the net. Too many people get lost in the bureaucracy, too many people aren't eligible or able to access support. Its complicated, and I don't profess to know that much about it - but what are we doing wrong? and why exactly aren't we investing in more social housing? why did anyone ever think it was such a great idea to encourage people to buy up social housing - was that really going to eradicate or help the housing problem? This book has challenged so many assumptions that its easy to make about homelessness and poverty in a really human way - even though its based in the 1930's its relevant.
Another book I just finished is one my friend gave Chris gave me for my birthday, Tom Holt's The Portable Door - I absolutely loved it. I don't think it will be to everyones taste - you need to be into the slightly fantastical and weird to like this book, its brilliant and I look forward to reading more about J W Wells and Co. Goblins and craziness, twists and turns, imp reflecting surfaces and more. really great escapism. I really like getting book and author recommendations - so thank you Chris! A whole new world of Tom Holt for me to discover!!
As an aside, i think its worth noting here that mum has a such a key role in all things literary for the Vyas sisters. So many of the books, authors and genres I love are down to my mum and the choices of book she has given to me and my sisters over the years, which have shaped our own buying and reading habits - always unique to suit each of us and our preferences and interests. I love her so much for that.
2 comments:
What interesting books, I as you probably know, have not read any of those two books, and they are now on my ever increasing list of books to read before I die (well I will try to read the last pages anyway!) I just read, "The Good Pirates of the Forgotten Bayous," (for one of my book groups) an interesting account of how St Bernard was affected by Hurricane Katrina, it touches upon the issues of how this poor parish was forgotten in the swell of support and news coverage over Katrina. http://www.amazon.com/Good-Pirates-Forgotten-Bayous-Hurricane/dp/0300121520.
Interestingly whilst in New York, Wooley and I head a "heated discussion" about passing the homeless on the streets, how does the "civilised world" deal with poverty? Reminds me of the Arrested Development song, Mr Wendall, "he eats of the food we waste..... who is the truly civilised?"
loved these blog posts, im always trying to scrimp and save time with work and social commitments to sit/lie down with a good book.
there are millions i see and hear and talk about, my work is like one big book club sometimes and often i feel envious not to have read as many wonderful- and not so wonderful books as my colleagues.
it surrounds me when i hear books my family have enjoyed or not..time for entering new worlds with new authors is something that has been important to me(thanks mum!)
the 4 hardcore compulsory novels at uni a week may also have something to do with my apathy.or was it was my revolt post uni by embarking on Bindu's romantic fiction shelves (intermittent with lolitaesque periods...)hmmm..
after yet another discussion of this very subject, dhara bought me William Goldman's Princess Bride. She told me to try with no pressure because i know the end. its wonderful and even though everyone has seen the film, its not the same it really is about "Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles."
civilised world...im still not ready for it.
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