The Unknown Orwell and Orwell: The Transformation

by Peter Stansky

For the first time, these two essential works on George Orwell have been brought together in one audiobook. The Unknown Orwell describes the first 30 years of Orwell's life - his childhood, the years at Eton and in Burma, and the struggles to become a writer. The Transformation carries us forward into the crucial years 1933 to 1937 in which Eric Blair, minor novelist, became George Orwell, a powerful writer with a view, a mission, and a message.

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Peter Stansky was educated at Yale University, King's College, Cambridge and Harvard University. He taught at Harvard and then at Stanford University, retiring in 2005 as the Frances and Charles Field Professor of History. At Stanford he taught modern British history, directed PhD dissertations, chaired his department as well as holding various administrative posts and in the course of his career was awarded several outside fellowships. He is also former President of the North American Conference on British Studies.

Reviews

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume of the Stansky/Abrahams Orwell bio proves every bit as readable as the first (The Unknown Orwell). Writing before extensive quoting was permitted by the Orwell estate forced the authors to do their legwork, and their research, done when a lot of people who knew Orwell intimately were still alive, laid a strong foundation for today's biographers. There's a lot here newer authors buzz over because they expend word count quote quote quoting from Orwell, including much about his bookshop days that otherwise would have been forgotten. The book also features a very appealing portrait of Orwell's wife, Eileen O'Shaughnessy. I join fully with the authors in wondering why in the world no one has yet published a critical edition of The Road to Wigan Pier in one volume with Orwell's "Road to Wigan Pier Diary." The mind boggles; they were writing in the late 70s and it still hasn't happened.

Note that this isn't a full bio; the authors were writing a short series of books about writers who fought in the Spanish Civil War, so the book ends with Orwell's return from combat. But don't turn away from these books because of their age or where the second volume ends; they are vital reading for anyone interested in Orwell, and deserve a new, single volume edition.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile exploration of Orwell's middle years, from after Down and Out in Paris and London to the end of Orwell's time in Spain fighting fascists.

[Valli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was dry and scholarly for most people but it got more interesting as I went along. I learned about the politics and sociology of Orwell's early career, as well as the people who influenced him. I may read some of his early books. This biography does not address Orwell's later life when he wrote _Animal Farm_ and _1984_, so I found this a bit disappointing.

[Kathleen Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume of a two part examination of Orwell’s development as a writer. This volume covers the years from the publication of Down and Out in Paris and London in January of 1933, to his departure for Spain in June of 1937. This is not a biography in the ordinary sense, although it does incorporate biographical information. It is, rather, an examination of the experiences and influences that made him who he was and led him to write what he did.