2025 Reading Challenge 10 Down and Out in Paris and London
I’ve got a few George Orwell books on my reading list. Still, this one is new to me. I’ve often been fascinated and appalled by how society treats the lowest echelons and how you can escape from what seems an impossible situation.
The first half concerns Paris as the author takes on the role of a Plongeur, the lowest of the low in the hotel trade; washing dishes, fetching and carrying and generally sworn at and abused. Much of these scenes concern the basic necessity of food and drink, and the destruction of shoe leather to get jobs, for money, to achieve a full belly. There are several at turns sad, humorous and unpleasant events before the author ups and leaves for London. Boris, the Russian ex-soldier, is an excellent character, everyone needs a guardian angel in their lives like Boris, even if he has many weaknesses.
London is less about hotels and more about finding somewhere to sleep, the Spikes, a workhouse or hostel for the homeless. Camaraderie is stronger in London, with bonds being formed and, on the whole, the sharing of what little the tramps have with each other.
The book doesn’t delve into the reasons behind how people find themselves in this situation, or how to get out of it. A throwaway line that a hostel or workhouse could create kitchen gardens so that the tramps could work and feed themselves seems to be as deep as it gets.
But the prose is simple and clean, an easy read that does highlight the horror of - stupid, clever, well educated, ignorant - all being trapped in a situation that is incredibly difficult to remove oneself from.
Note that some offensive sections, unpleasantly typecast Jewish and French people, are reflective of the period and something that Orwell moved away from, becoming, for example, a vocal critic of anti-Semitism.
I rated it 7.9 out of 10
TTRPG Thoughts:
This book is a treasure trove for anyone setting up a campaign in the 1930s, and also if they are focusing on the lower classes. Great locations and building. There is a proliferation of slang in both Paris and London that can be used to build up the immersion, as well as the constant reference to the price of food items and accommodation, a great companion to those Chaosium Call of Cthulhu 1920s supplements.
I will pick out two RPG supplements that focus on the life of a tramp or hobo that I’ve been excited about in recent years.
First up is Los Hobos and the Wolves of Carcosa, whereupon Alex Guillote puts together an excellent depression area scenario with the players playing a group of hobos tasked with delivering a mystery package as all manner of unsavoury and supernatural NPCs give chase.
Second is from the very well regarded Maelstrom system, The Beggar’s Companion by Paul Baldowski. Set in England, but the 16th century, it gives a wealth of information for playing the lowest of the low, what style of games work for their class, the secret language and symbology they invented and some excellent historical background, as you would expect from the other of The Dee Sanction.
And whilst mentioning The Dee Sanction, please register for the new Kickstarter here!
