Hope Lies in the Proles: George Orwell and the Left

by John Newsinger

Few figures on the left are as widely heralded as George Orwell. Yet his actual politics are poorly understood. Hope Lies in the Proles corrects that, offering a sympathetic yet critical account of Orwell’s often muddied political thinking and its continued relevance today. John Newsinger takes up various aspects of Orwell’s personal politics, exploring his attempts to change working-class consciousness, considering it alternately romantic, realistic, and patronizing—and at times all three at once. He examines Orwell’s antifascism, and how it fits in with his criticism of the Soviet Union; looks into his relationship with the Labour Party and feminism; and delves into Orwell’s shifting views on the United States. The result is the clearest understanding we’ve ever had of Orwell’s politics and their legacy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 20, 2018

About the author

John Newsinger is a British Marxist professor of History at Bath Spa University.

A book reviewer for the New Left Review, he is also author of numerous books and articles, as well as studies of science fiction and of the cinema. He teaches on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Reviews

[Phil Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scholarly and well researched book, which is however also very readable. Newsinger discusses Orwell’s views and politics, and how they changed, and the context in which they were held. Although Newsinger is an admirer of Orwell’s work, he sometimes praises, often explains and is also not afraid to criticise when required. In doing so, he also manages to unravel the different positions held by the left to the new phenomena’s of Nazism and Stalinism. Highly recommended.

[Chandler Jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a fascinating book. I’ve loved Orwell ever since I first read “1984” in middle school. I must have re-read that book a dozen or so times. This book was very interesting to read in conjunction with a re-reading of “Animal Farm” and “1984,” it really gave a sense of context that sometimes is lacking.

Orwell was a fascinating character, and though there’s plenty I disagree with him about, I have always admired his integrity and courage and commitment to truth.

Wonderful book, I highly recommend it, you can actually find a free download of it on JSTOR.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no shortage of books about Orwell, but this is definitely in the top tier. It is focused, as the title suggests, on his political attitudes and activism, rather than being a broader biography or literary criticism. The author makes a spirited defense of him against Stalinist calumnies, while recognising weaknesses and problems in his politics, not least his attitude towards feminism.

[Ramzey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time.