 He considered the novel " a bleaker work than "Keep the Aspidistra Flying"; in "Aspidistra" everybody fears the sack, hankers for more money and security, cringes to the boss.But only to the boss at work, the economic boss.When Bowling thinks of the future, he fears not only the ever-present financial insecurity, the endless work, work, work with the gutter only a few steps away; he fears also the new breed of tyrants, the leader and his strong-arm boys."