I like Orwell. He's bleak, bleak as all out, but live in Britain any length of time and you'll know where he's coming from.
In this he takes the character of George Bowling, an overweight self-satisfied insurance agent who recalls the Britain of his youth and comes up with some occasionally sage observations on the turnings of modern society. There are forshadowings of themes that he expounds upon in "1984". Not essential Orwell, but good. Also worth noting are the feelings of displacement, the world of Bowling's childhood being swiftly destroyed by "progress" and the War. Themes still current, more current even, today...
But I've had enough, they're good reads but a trifle depressing. I've had it in my head (where did it come from, I wonder?) to read "Madame Bovary" by Flaubert, thought I had it on my shelves, searched for it and couldn't find it, but then by happy circumstance I stumbled upon an Everyman edition (red Moroccan Leather, although I'm suspicious of the translation...) at a thrift shop down the street.
Which will be the next review....