Orwell Matters discussion

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the group. If you can spare a few moments to let me know what you would like the group to do, in terms of activities and discussions.

I want to create a platform for Orwell fans to discuss Orwell, other than that happy for suggestions on activity.

Cheers
Ewell

It's a great idea for a group.


I've read all his novels but not much of the other stuff. Orwell does indeed matter.

When I come up with ideas for the group I'll post again

Cheers Mate,

Feel free to invite others you may know from your large following :-D , who may be interested in this group.

Cheers
Ewell

Just popping in to say hi. It's a wonderful idea to have a group on Orwell. I love his work, and his essays - and personally think that 1984 is NOT his biggest achievement at all. Thanks for the invite. Hope I can tribute something useful at some point.... :)

Hi Sandra, Thanks for joining. Lovely you have you.

I agree on 1984! whilst its bloody fantastic, i believe his best book is, The Road to Wigan Pier.

I have suggested a book from the Orwell prize shortlist to read and discuss. Its on the other discussion thread, let us know what you think. :-)

A few more thoughts Ewell.


I'm posting this in a spirit of sharing experience and hopefully providing encouragement....

I run two groups here at GoodReads:

* Reading the 20th Century *

* The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society *

That means I don't have much time for other groups but I'll do my best to stay involved here too as I like Orwell

Although Patrick Hamilton is a lot more niche than our man George, I found I had to set up loads of threads and, for a while, was just discussing books with myself. My kids were taking the piss out of me for quite a while. Then, one day, a few people got involved and now it ticks over. There's only 4-5 regulars but I still find it really worthwhile.

The other group, the 20th century group, is one I co-run and it's got a much broader remit and, relatively speaking, gets quite a bit of traffic.

With GoodReads groups, having a broad appeal is the trick to have a lively group. Even then it's probably only about 15 people who regularly contribute despite the impressive looking number of members.

It can be a bit of a thankless task running these groups. I started a couple of others but deleted them after about a year as they didn't catch fire.

I'm conscious that might sound more negative than I intend. It isn't meant to be.

I'll keep thinking of ideas too

No I appreciate that as I want the group to grow, I’ll check out your groups to get ideas.

Thanks

Thanks for the group invite.

Just last year I worked my way through all 4 volumes of GO's diaries, letters and journalism. An entre into his quotidian mind, but also a subtle barometer of how the war was developing for people living in London. When I finished his last entry, knowing when he would die, I felt sad and bereft, like I'd lost a friend. highly recommended for members of this group if you can get hold of them. beautifully produced, but close to out of print (why??). Christopher Hitchens' Why Orwell Matters also a good read.

I also wouldn't mind seeing some discussion on Orwell vs Huxley as I think combining the two is a more realistic view of what we have now...looking forward to the groups' thoughts.

Alicia

Thanks Alicia,

I am currently reading his volumes, id say around 70% finished. Have you read the Tribune essays? Specifically the article about an hypothetical debate with a flat earther? Which is actually just Orwell debating with himself. Iconic seen as that is what most of his work about, however, he overtly does it just that in one article.

Happy for a Huxley vs Orwell Thread. I would also recommend adding Yevgeny Zamyatin to that, seen as his book, WE, spawned both Brave new World and 1984. Even though Huxley denied it, Brave new world is guilty of direct plagiarism from WE.

Create a a discussion thread if you wish, i will of course contribute :-)

I read almost every book Orwell had published when I was in my twenties. That experience turned me into a reader. I’m now revisiting his work 30+ years later. Still astonished by the power and simplicity of his prose, I am also seeing the lives of his characters, real and fictional, through more experienced eyes. I’m surprised to see how relevant it remains 60 years or so after it was written.

I've started reading George Orwell's Diaries.
This is gold for Orwell fans. The first diary is Hop-Picking Diary: 25 Aug 1931 - 8 Oct 1931. This reads like an extension of Down an Out in Paris and London, and also Orwell's experience hop-picking is utilized closely for Dorothy Hare in A Clergyman's Daughter.
I'm now reading The Road to Wigan Pier Diary: 31 Jan 1936 - 25 Mar 1936.
Absorbing stuff, and as with Orwell, not a word wasted.
Could we have a thread for the Diaries?

I read all 4 volumes of his diaries, journalism and letters last year. Very addictive and so informative to read a contemporary account of someone living through WWII. I so enjoyed his company over the period, I was devastated to read the last entry knowing he died less than a month later. Wonderful writing and with great insights into his personality.