Reviews
So few pages that say so much.
George Orwell, at his best, is hard to beat. I read 1984 and Animal Farm in high school, and thought I knew Orwell, and frankly I was not very impressed. Then, years later I saw Homage to Catalonia recommended in a list of "Best War Books", and decided to give it a try since I was mildly interested in the Spanish Civil War; from it I learned an entirely new Orwell - the one who wrote about his own experiences, either autobiographically or in novel form (e.g., Burmese Days). After reading Homage, I quickly went through Down and Out in Paris and London, Burmese Days, and many of his essays. The lead essay in Shooting an Elephant, from which the book takes it's name, is in a way, a commentary on imperialism, but also it accurately portrays the dilemma the "leader" in any similar situation faces, when it is imperative that he not be embarrassed, because he needs to maintain his authority. The essay about Orwell's time in a French hospital is reminiscent of Down and Out, and his essay regarding How to (and how not to) Write is very worthwhile for anyone who writes, professionally or not. There are a few essays which are dated a bit, as they deal with issues in Britain in the immediate aftermath of WWII, but for the most part the essays have aged well. I particularly liked his essay on the unmitigated good of planting trees, since it is a hobby of mine. As an aside, another book by Orwell which is a little difficult to find now, is Burmese Days. Having lived in Asia in the early '80's, Burmese Days rang true to me, despite the half century between Orwell's time there and mine, and I recommend it if you like Orwell. This book of essays is very worthwhile for any Orwell reader.
I've read both 1984 and Animal Farm and they were both breathtaking. Orwell is fast becoming one of my favourite fiction and non-fiction writers. I think more people need to check out his non-fiction as it is just as impactful as his fiction. I will probably be picking up Down and Out in Paris and London or Keep the Aspidistra Flying next. Honourable mentions - A Hanging, Bookshop Memories, In Defence of English Cooking, Some Thoughts on the Common Toad, Confessions of a Book Reviewer, Decline of English Murder, Politics and the English Language.
The ultimate master of the language. Orwell can write literally about anything (English cuisine for example), but because he has something to say about it and a great way to say it, it never feels dull.
