Hope Lies in the Proles: George Orwell and the Left

by John Newsinger

George Orwell was one of the most significant literary figures on the left in the twentieth century. While titles such as 1984, Animal Farm and Homage to Catalonia are still rightly regarded as modern classics, his own politics are less well understood.



Hope Lies in the Proles offers a sympathetic yet critical account of Orwell's political thinking and its continued significance today. John Newsinger explores various aspects of Orwell's politics, detailing Orwell's attempts to change working-class consciousness, considering whether his attitude towards the working class was romantic, realistic or patronising - or all three at different times. He also asks whether Orwell's anti-fascism was eclipsed by his criticism of the Soviet Union, and explores his ambivalent relationship with the Labour Party. Newsinger also breaks important new ground regarding Orwell's shifting views on the USA, and his relationship with the progressive Left and feminism.



Focusing on the enduring interest in Orwell and his influence on current political causes, the book is ultimately a unique, nuanced attempt to demonstrate that Orwell remained a committed socialist up until his death.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Biography

204 pages, Kindle Edition

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.