George Orwell: Selected Writings

by George Orwell, George Bott (Editor)

This selection of George Orwell's writings is intended mainly for sixth forms, adult classes and training college students. It includes the essays Shooting an Elephant, Down the Mine, Marrakech, Why I Write and Boys' Weeklies.

Genres: Nonfiction

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Eric 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.

Reviews

[Ruri]

Shooting an elephant caused me heartache. This first story dives into the mind and feelings of a white-man living in Borneo. I don't want to think it as the justification of the man "filling his shoes" but there are some complex and straightforward elements of the roles they have to occupy. Is it really natives and colonizers? do they really had and have to follow the imposed expectations?

[Harry Tear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting varied short stories and essays. Enjoyed everything except the one about school magazines. Provides some interesting perspective to how Orwell writes. I really enjoyed 'politics and the English language'

[Austin Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides additional insight into Orwell's voice in Nineteen Eighty-Four.

[Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of essays and book-excerpts from one of the finest writers Britain ever produced.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short compilation of works by Orwell. The excerpt from '1984' feels a little out of place as the only piece of fiction, and I would have liked to see 'The Moon Under Water' included.

[John Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The selection of Orwells writing is to praised. The intro provides some historical insights into the man, if a little pompous

[Nicholas Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selected Writings by George Orwell is a foundation for his literary masterpieces. Orwell writes that it is important to understand who he is before reading his work, as it provides a framework for the political claims he makes. It is also important in my opinion to read this compilation of his works, because it provides insight to Orwell, and thus to 1984 and Animal Farm.

The genius of this book is in the truth that the author is able to so effortlessly provide. Orwell writes that one of his main goals with writing is to reveal misconceptions and flaws in society, and his writings do just that. "Shooting an Elephant", "Down the Mine", and "the English Class System" are examples of his power to observe hidden truths and to eloquently demonstrate them to his audience.

Another theme that arises throughout every text within this book is that of political bias. Orwell asserts, with good reason, that everything one writes or says has a political objective, and even refers to his own writings as propaganda. This observation is incredibly insightful regarding human nature, and raises questions about whether it is possible to achieve objectivity at all.

This book is a fantastic "prequel" of sorts to Orwell's more famous works, and I would strongly suggest reading it prior to 1984 and Animal Farm because it allows one an insight into the purpose of his writings. A fantastic book about revealing societal misconceptions and providing political understanding, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed discussing or contemplating philosophy, politics or literary works.

[Sean Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection fo writings, where I enjoyed some more than others. Orwell writes very candidly on his feelings about pretentious writing style and even sets out rules one can stick to to avoid extensive and superfluous wording. I enjoyed very much chapters of his books, shooting an elephant and 1984.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orwell was a journalist by trade and an under-rated essayist.