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Fifty Orwell Essays [linked table of contents]
NOTE: This edition has been specially formatted with a linked table of contents for an easy and pleasant reading experience on your reading device.
This compilation of 50 essays illuminate the life and work of one of the most individual writers of this century, a man who created a unique literary manner from the process of thinking aloud and who elevated political writing to an art. Orwell discusses with vigour such diverse subjects as politics, his boyhood schooling, Henry Miller, British imperialism, and the profession of writing. His motivating ideas,his desire for social justice, his belief in universal freedom and equality, and his concern for truth in language,are as enduringly relevant now, a hundred years after his birth, as ever.
This compilation of 50 essays illuminate the life and work of one of the most individual writers of this century, a man who created a unique literary manner from the process of thinking aloud and who elevated political writing to an art. Orwell discusses with vigour such diverse subjects as politics, his boyhood schooling, Henry Miller, British imperialism, and the profession of writing. His motivating ideas,his desire for social justice, his belief in universal freedom and equality, and his concern for truth in language,are as enduringly relevant now, a hundred years after his birth, as ever.
596 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2011
42 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
About the author
George Orwell
1,631 books49.9k followersEric Arthur Blair was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist and critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to all totalitarianism (both fascism and stalinism), and support of democratic socialism.
Orwell is best known for his allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), although his works also encompass literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), documenting his experience of working-class life in the industrial north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), are as critically respected as his essays on politics, literature, language and culture.
Orwell's work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective "Orwellian"—describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices—is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "Room 101", "Newspeak", "memory hole", "doublethink", and "thoughtcrime". In 2008, The Times named Orwell the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
Orwell is best known for his allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945) and the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), although his works also encompass literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), documenting his experience of working-class life in the industrial north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences soldiering for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), are as critically respected as his essays on politics, literature, language and culture.
Orwell's work remains influential in popular culture and in political culture, and the adjective "Orwellian"—describing totalitarian and authoritarian social practices—is part of the English language, like many of his neologisms, such as "Big Brother", "Thought Police", "Room 101", "Newspeak", "memory hole", "doublethink", and "thoughtcrime". In 2008, The Times named Orwell the second-greatest British writer since 1945.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 2, 2021
Orwell’s non-fiction writing got me fanatically back into reading (both fiction and non-fiction) during my listlessness in the most recent Covid lockdown. His straightforward yet deeply insightful style of writing addicted me to this collection, jumping from political analysis, to recounts of life, to rules by which to follow for good writing, to musings on the realities of life.
I now understand why so many credit Orwell as their main inspiration to get into writing or journalism, with his inwardly and outwardly critical, but ultimately optimistic, style of thinking and writing provoking readers to bring this coherent cynicism and introspection into their own life.
I read his works often out of order, at first only reading the titles that interested me, pursuing more information around my preconceived notion of Orwell that I garnered reading 1984, Animal Farm, and Homage to Catalonia, but was most impressed by the writings I often ignored initially. These essays paint a portrait of a man through his internal dialogue, as while Orwell writes almost exclusively about the other rather than himself, his prominent written voice and lived experience shine through in all his works.
I expect I will often revisit these essays in the future, using not just quotes and references to aid my own writing and critical thinking, but also the logic and ethos of Orwell to inform how I dissect the world around me and compose my thoughts on them in the future.
I now understand why so many credit Orwell as their main inspiration to get into writing or journalism, with his inwardly and outwardly critical, but ultimately optimistic, style of thinking and writing provoking readers to bring this coherent cynicism and introspection into their own life.
I read his works often out of order, at first only reading the titles that interested me, pursuing more information around my preconceived notion of Orwell that I garnered reading 1984, Animal Farm, and Homage to Catalonia, but was most impressed by the writings I often ignored initially. These essays paint a portrait of a man through his internal dialogue, as while Orwell writes almost exclusively about the other rather than himself, his prominent written voice and lived experience shine through in all his works.
I expect I will often revisit these essays in the future, using not just quotes and references to aid my own writing and critical thinking, but also the logic and ethos of Orwell to inform how I dissect the world around me and compose my thoughts on them in the future.
March 1, 2014
Intoxicating collection of essays, a journey back in time into George Orwell's thought process, life and ideas. I need to get a hard copy of this for my library
April 11, 2020
It was not an easy read. But as a historical artefact it was interesting. From the doss houses to the anti totalitarian rhetoric, the essays about the Spanish civil war or his time in Burma it was the essays from Orwell's own experience I found most interesting. The literary criticism was a bit self serving, boring and actually not very good.
I noticed a few things:
- The Spanish civil war means a lot more to the left in Britain than it does to any other strata
- Orwell was both consistent and demonstrated personal growth in these essays
- He doesn't have many nice words to say about literary greats
- For someone so judgemental about figures from his near history he has a lot opinions that would be judged very poorly in 2020.
I noticed a few things:
- The Spanish civil war means a lot more to the left in Britain than it does to any other strata
- Orwell was both consistent and demonstrated personal growth in these essays
- He doesn't have many nice words to say about literary greats
- For someone so judgemental about figures from his near history he has a lot opinions that would be judged very poorly in 2020.
June 5, 2020
The best essays are 5star, some are barely 2 or 3 but Orwell is rarely an uninteresting read. A decent enough refresher for the e-reader.
November 24, 2018
Perhaps it's a little unfair to award Orwell's collection of 50 essays a mere three out of five stars. Some of the essays are brilliant, but there are plenty that, on first reading, are just ok. For instance, it was difficult to properly enjoy his discussion of the merits of Helen's Babies, or James Burnham's The Managerial Revolution, since they mean nothing to me. I would have got more from the essay on Gulliver's Travels more if I had actually read Swift's work, and my knowledge of Shakespeare's King Lear was found wanting in the reading of the essay about Tolstoy.
There are, however, absolute gems in this collection: extracts from The Road to Wigan Pier; The Lion and the Unicorn; Such, Such Were the Joys. His prose is to the point, he is not afraid to criticise injustice and speak out about totalitarianism and nationalism. The essays have provided some insight into the man, and I dare say, once I've corrected my own ignorance, I shal re-read the book and award it five stars.
There are, however, absolute gems in this collection: extracts from The Road to Wigan Pier; The Lion and the Unicorn; Such, Such Were the Joys. His prose is to the point, he is not afraid to criticise injustice and speak out about totalitarianism and nationalism. The essays have provided some insight into the man, and I dare say, once I've corrected my own ignorance, I shal re-read the book and award it five stars.
December 5, 2017
I love Orwell, and some of these short essays are just superb. "The Lion and the Unicorn" captures British society so perfectly, you can hardly tell that 70 years have passed. "Politics and the English Language" is the best guide I know on how to write clearly and precisely. And "A Nice Cup of Tea" is just a cool piece of writing. How many authors can write an engaging story about something so mundane?
August 15, 2020
One of the most important and interesting bodies of work that i have ever read. Discussions on class, socialism and practicalities and impracticalities of life. I'd recommend everyone gives this a read, soon you'll become absorbed with a miner's lot and mealy-mouthed champagne socialism.
May 30, 2017
Online via Gutenberg Australia
April 8, 2023
Favorites: Politics and The English Language, Why I Write, Shooting an Elephant, A Hanging, Confessions of a Book Reviewer, Bookshop Memories, Decline of the English Murder, My Country Right or Left
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews