If you’re a writer you could not have missed this author.. Eric Arthur Blair.. or George Orwell and his famous rules for writing. Two of his most famous books Animal Farm and 1984 are stuff that’s taught in classrooms.
Animal Farm, inspired by the Stalin Era in the Soviet Union is an easy interesting read with way deeper connotations. However, I have to confess, I found 1984 extremely depressing. The dystopian totalitarian state Orwell describes in his book is so suffocating, so frustrating that I put down the book often only to go back to it looking for that one tiny spark of hope but none came. That is not to say it isn’t a powerful read. Sometimes you need to delve into the uncomfortable too. This was one such.
His life
Orwell was born in Motihari Bihar in British India. His father was a British civil servant. He studied in England and joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma. However soon he resigned to become a writer. He moved to Paris but had no success with his writing and had to take up menial jobs. His first book Down and Out in Paris and London, published in 1933 talks of his experiences.
A few years later he travelled to Spain to fight for the republicans. He was forced to flee in fear of his life from Soviet backed Communists and turned into an anti Stalinist for life.
In 1945 he wrote Animal Farm followed by 1984. His other fiction works include Burmese Days, A Clergyman’s Daughter and Coming up for Air. He continued writing for various periodicals and also worked for the BBC.
He passed away in 1950 of tuberculosis.
His inspiration
Authors find inspiration in varied places for Orwell it came from “a feeling of partisanship, a sense of injustice. When I set down to write a book, I do not say to myself, “I am going to produce a work of art’, I write it because ther is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing…” That’s quoted from him essay ‘Why I write’.
Since ‘being heard’ was his primary objective he kept his writing style simple. Yet he managed to leave an impact that stays with you for a long while. He aimed at making ‘political writing into an art’ and he did.
His essays
I discovered his essays pretty recently while reading Vinod Mehta’s biography Lucknow Boy, which by the way is also an amazing read. Mehta counts Orwell as his favourite author whose essays are ‘his bedside read’. That got me going and I found some very interesting ones..
He seemed to have picked up varied topics as diverse as..
Bookshop Memories – I loved this one where he talks about the kind of people who came to him while he worked at a book shop, the kind of books they read versus the kind of books they bought. Also how working at the bookshop put him off books – even that wonderful smell that we all love.
A nice cup of tea – A tea lover himself he talks about how to make that perfect cup of tea.. a fun read.
The Hanging – A chilling account of his Burma days when he witnessed a hanging.
… And many many more. Check them out here.
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Also linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
My dear friend Shilpa of A Rose is a Rose is a Rose got in first and got Orwell right.
*Clap clap clap*
Tomorrow’s author was born in American but spent most of her life in China and that’s where she picked her stories from. Oh and she’s the winner of the Pulitzer Prize as well as the Nobel prize for Literature. Guesses anyone?
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This post is part of the April A to Z Challenge, 2014 for the theme AMAZING AUTHORS.
Also linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
I second Vidya's comment. You are making me revisit authors I read and loved, some of them quite a while ago. 🙂 I haven't read Orwell since my high school days..time for a re read.
I am enjoying reading about authors I enjoy reading. So much we don't know. I remember how the slogan "big brother is watching you" became such a fad. Still is at my house :).
Animal Farm and 1984 are the two books that were very popular when I found him 🙂
Animal Farm is one of my favorite books. My oldest read it for literature this year in 8th grade, and I was impressed that he was able to grasp the message in it, probably because Orwell did keep his writing simple so that the message came across.
TaMara
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Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
That's what I like best about him – the simplicity.
As I writer I feel horrid now for not knowing his work… Two more books I'll be adding to my 'to read' list. Thank you!
Try him.
I haven't read the Animal farm yet. Another thing this challenge has done is given us authentic reviews of great books and movies. I am just loving the journey, one blog has some very interesting information about poetry writing.
Yeah I've seen that poetry blog too. I didn't even know so many forms existed.
All these are very famous books and often quoted. Need to check on Orwell's essay. Thanks for sharing the details.
Do that Jayanta.
I haven't read Orwell yet, I started with animal farm… But couldn't finish it. 🙂
Yeah well, we all have our favourites and those we just cannot get through.
Animal farm is an amazing book…
But 1984 have to still read….
O for Orwell….interesting
1984 isn't an easy read… At least for me it wasn't.
Was just helping my one kid with analyzing the Animal Farm.. Flashbacks … Everlasting classic I guess:-) Great pic for your O:-)
What what a coincidence Eli!
Animal Farm is an amazing book, especially, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Oh yes I know that quote! Each time we felt our teachers were being unfair we'd quote it.
I haven't read any of his works but yeah, I should try him because Animal Farm looks tempting to read!
~S(t)ri
Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
Smile, it makes (y)our day!
It is Sri. Try it.
My daughter just finished reading and studying "Animal Farm" in her class. ♥ While she seemed to enjoy it, when I had to read it for school it wasn't my cup of tea.
Well to each to his own. You might like his essays.. Try them.
Can't remember if Animal Farm was one of my school literature books or if it was extra reading we had to do. This is a book somehow I did not enjoy. Tomorrow's author – Pearl Buck?
Suzy.. Right you are!
Animal Farm and 1984 is just awesome.. Imagine the visualization during that time to create 1884.. Incredible…
PhenoMenon
http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/oats-interesting-ways-to-eat/
Yes.. It's amazing how he has imagined the entire scenario.
I have heard about Animal Farm but I have not read it yet 🙁 I have not heard about George Orwell's other works though.
Do try it Prasanna.. It's an easy enough read.
Animal Farm was part of my college curriculum ..So I had read it..At that point I found it boring but a few years down the line I actually think it was quite an intelligent book..another gr8 author featured 🙂
O for Ostracized-Random Thoughts Naba
Thanks Naba. Even I read him pretty late in life.
Oh I love Orwell ..His essays are indeed a lovely read. ..So tomorrow we have pearl buck coming up it seems..looking forward
Good job Shiva.
That's a good story abour Orwell 🙂 I admit I haven't read the Anima Farm, but I got to read about the book some years back when I had to prepare for a Quiz and that's how I came to know of George Orwell 🙂 Must read it at least now !!
Pearls and Bucks ?? 😀 😀 😀
Oh yeah .. It's a small book and an easy read.
This thing about Orwell's essays is interesting, nice find Tulika! Will check them out sometime. Thanks 🙂
Beauty Interprets, Expresses, Manifests the Eternal
Isn't it? I enjoyed reading them and sharing them here.