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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

What’s the joke in George Orwell’s Keep the Aspidistra Flying?

George Orwell At A Typewriter
Mice joke … George Orwell. Photograph: Mondadori via Getty Images

The main character in George Orwell’s Keep the Aspidistra Flying is Gordon Comstock, author of a book of poems entitled Mice. Comstock reflects, “Of the thirteen BFs who had reviewed it … not one had seen the none too subtle joke of that title.” For the benefit of this BF, what is the joke?

Howard Jones, Coventry

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

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