George Orwell Matters! discussion

Welcome to "George Orwell Matters!" Whether you're a new member or have been here for a while, please tell us a little about yourself here, so we can get to know you :)

I'm Jean, your moderator, and I love all sorts of reading - obviously including George Orwell! I first discovered him in my 20s and was amazed at how prophetic his works seemed to be. I live in the South of England, am married and used to teach in inner city schools. As well as books, I love animals and nature, Art and Music. My favourite author is Charles Dickens. We've had lots of pets, and at the moment are training our new rescue dog, a Carpathian shepherd dog-cum-husky type, who only arrived here a few months ago from Romania.

How about you?

Hi Jean and all

It’s great to see this discussion group being re-launched. I very much hope the group can be a vibrant place for discussions about George Orwell, a writer who remains relevant and regularly intervenes in debates about society culture and politics in the 21st-century.

My name is Paul, I live in Birmingham England and I’m a postdoctoral researcher studying deindustrialisation in Britain. Orwell remains one of my favourite writers and someone I regularly return to - enjoying pretty much all of his output and finding real value and insight in his work.

I look forward to participating in the group!

All the best,

Paul

Hi Paul and welcome back! I agree completely about George Orwell's continuing relevance. Also, I frequently see his massive influence on all aspect of culture and the Arts. It sounds as if he has long been a favourite writer, as he has with me. I'm always surprised that his essays are not better known.

I'm very hopeful that we can kick-start this group again, with lots of lively discussions. So if something Orwellian is exercising your mind at the moment, please do feel free to start off a thread in our "Members Threads" folder.

Hi Jean, thanks for inviting me! I love George Orwell almost as I love Charles Dickens (almost tho), and I’m working my way through his bibliography -my next will be Keep The Aspidistra Flying. Intrigued & excited for as to what this group will be up to! Cheers to everybody! :D

Hi Jean, thank you for the invite.
I absolutely will be reading some George Orwell next year, I have The road to Wigan pier and Down and out in Paris and London ready to go. I'm missing all my regular type reads very much however I'm having a wonderful time with my fantasy sci-fi year.
I am having October off that though as I want to read some Victorian books for Victober already planning and very excited, obviously another re read of Wuthering heights is in there along with Bram Stoker's Dracula which I also have on audible.
I hope everyone is having a great reading year. :)

Hi Jean, thanks for the invitation to this group. I'm a complete novice regarding George Orwell having only read "1984" in the dim distant past but have started to read his essays. Also, I love that he wrote on Skye off the West Coast of Scotland, an island that's so close to my heart!

Despite my nom-de-plume, I emigrated to the South Island of New Zealand 3 decades ago, have a small farm and a large garden and love books in so many forms. I joined GR to expand my reading horizons and knowledge of literature, which is proving wonderful!

In everyday existence, I'm known as Katie!

Hi Jean and all in the group! Thanks for the invite!
I am a big George Orwell fan, but haven't read any of his books for some years now. I've been thinking of his writings a lot lately and mean to read or reread some of his works this coming winter.
Then this invite comes along. How serendipitous!
I'm a fairly slow reader, so my contributions to the group may be slim but I will be involved in some way and participate in group reads as I can. George Orwell does matter.

Hi, Jean. Thanks for the invitation from a huge Orwell fan. I admire him as a writer and as a human being.

Hi, Jean & all group members. Thanks for the invitation, Jean. I’m looking forward to the discussions in this group.

Hey! thanks for the invite Jean!

It's wonderful to see so many friends joining, and those who I'm sure will become friends too!

bluewizard wrote: "Hi Jean, thanks for inviting me! I love George Orwell almost as I love Charles Dickens (almost tho), and I’m working my way through his bibliography -my next will be Keep The Aspidistra Flying. Int..."

Hi bluewizard! Welcome, and it's good to hear we have similar favourite authors :) And it's great that you are systematically reading his works! I've been meaning to do that ... Here's an opportunity to read and discuss some of his essays as well.

Tracey wrote: "Hi Jean, thank you for the invite.
I absolutely will be reading some George Orwell next year, I have The road to Wigan pier and Down and out in Paris and London ready to go. I'm missing all my reg..."

Hi Tracey - wow you're having a busy year of reading :) oh both of those books you mention by George Orwell broke my heart. I think the first one will make you feel the same.

I've never heard of Victober! Will definitely get in on that. It's so good to see you here :)

Boadicea wrote: "Hi Jean, thanks for the invitation to this group. I'm a complete novice regarding George Orwell having only read "1984" in the dim distant past but have started to read his essays. Also, I love tha..."

Hi Katie! Good to see you here, and soon you won't feel like a novice with George Orwell, I'm sure :) Isn't his cottage fabulous? Here it is for everyone to see:


Barnhill, on the remote Scottish island of Jura

And how amazing that he completed 1984 in this cottage.

Oh what a lovely place you live in though. I visited New Zealand once, and fell in love with the South Island's rainforests and glaciers. And the glowworm caves :) Thank for a great introductory post (and the chance to share that pic!)

Petra wrote: "Hi Jean and all in the group! Thanks for the invite!
I am a big George Orwell fan, but haven't read any of his books for some years now. I've been thinking of his writings a lot lately and mean to ..."

Hi Petra! Lovely that you joined too :) Yes, isn't it odd that these things sometimes happen at just the right time? Please just join in when you like, as I know many of us have several groups to be loyal to. The beauty of George Orwell is that he wrote a phenomenal number of essays as well as his marvellous fiction and journalism. They are to the point, beautifully written, and an occasional one here and there is easy to fit in to nearly any timetable.

Rosemarie wrote: "Hi, Jean. Thanks for the invitation from a huge Orwell fan. I admire him as a writer and as a human being."

Welcome Rosemarie! And I agree completely :) It's so good to have you, a keen fan, as part of "George Orwell Matters!"

Trisha wrote: "Hi, Jean & all group members. Thanks for the invitation, Jean. I’m looking forward to the discussions in this group."

Welcome Trisha. I'm so pleased you joined, and I'm looking froward to some lively discussions too :)

Laura Cort wrote: "Hey! thanks for the invite Jean!"

Hi Laura, and welcome to the group! I'm so pleased you accepted, and hope you enjoy it here :)

Bionic Jean wrote: "Welcome to "George Orwell Matters!" Whether you're a new member or have been here for a while, please tell us a little about yourself here, so we can get to know you :)

I'm Jean, your moderator, a..."

Hello, Jean and Everyone,

Good Evening from Kansas City, Missouri, the home of Charlie Parker's and Count Basie's jazz, the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues, vibrant writers and musicians, theater events, innovative restaurants, provocative museums and creators, and a whole slew of football & baseball fans. Add libraries and books to that list, and you've now learned of my interests and pursuits when I'm not teaching at Metropolitan Community College.

I enjoy reading a wide variety of genres and writers, George Orwell being among them. These many months when I've been home, I've come to appreciate reading all the more, so I look forward to returning to the many neighborhood, research, and art libraries of my community. Until then, I've been enjoying online common reads with my students, Zoom-writing with other teachers, and creative digital book discussions offered through my public library. Literature and words always help me through difficult times.

Thank you, Jean, for inviting me to join this group! I'm going to read the many different posts here.

With a smile,
Jan

Hi everyone. I’m Janelle from Australia.
Thanks for the invite Jean.
I’m in quite a few Goodreads groups including Jean’s Dickensians.
I read 1984 in high school, and his collected essays over a decade ago. I decided a couple of years ago I needed to read all his work. I don’t think I’ve managed to read any yet this year so this is a good motivator!

Thanks for the invite, Jean! Animal Farm is one of my very favorite books, along with 1984. I have taught AF multiple times, though, and have never had the pleasure of teaching 1984, so that gives AF a slight edge in my heart. I consider both of those books to be brilliantly insightful into the dynamics of power and the human condition; I look forward to reading more of Orwell's work, and in such great company! :)

Hey everyone! Thanks for the invite Jean. I have only read Animal Farm but I have always meant to read more.

Hi Jean and thanks for the invite. I read Animal Farm and 1984 either in high school or college, many years ago, and haven’t read Orwell since. The enthusiasm of the other members is catching and I’m looking forward to experiencing more of his writing. I may be in and out of the readings given other groups and life but I do want to read as much as possible with you all.

Thank you for the invite, Jean. I'm from Connecticut in the US. I've read "Animal Farm" and "1984." I read "1984" as part of a Dystopian Fiction lifelong learning course. It was the book that scared me the most since it seemed so real. I've been wanting to read some of his other books, and learn more about Orwell's life so I'm glad you are restarting this group.

Thanks for the invite Jean! I’m a long term admirer of Orwell, having read most of his novels in my youth (my favourite is probably Burmese Days) and started his essays and non fiction more recently. I’m looking forward to reading more of his work and discussing it with all of you.

I’m from Swindon in England, recently retired, dog lover and armchair sports fan, and of course a ‘bite off more than I can chew’ reader who always has 5 or 6 books on the go.

Hi Jean, what a terrific initiative to re-activate this group, thanks for the invitation. I’m from Sydney, Australia, in the middle of lockdown. I have read some Orwell. I was struck by the privations in ‘Down and Out in Paris and London’ and enjoyed ‘Animal Farm’. Orwell’s essays have really captured me, so authentic, insightful and illuminating, the mark of a great humane writer. His piece on Graham Greene’s ‘The Heart of the Matter’ is a masterpiece of reviewing, and I just love A Nice Cup of Tea. In an attempt to create a little order in my reading this year I embarked on a modest plan to include some ‘important books’, one a month, interspersed with other stuff. First on my list was ‘1984’. So your group re-vitalisation is more than welcome, especially when we are all in the house: wife working from home and our 14 year old trying to do online classrooms. However, Coco the beagle / Jack Russell cross is enjoying everyone’s company. PS: I love the shot of Barnhill.

I was so happy to see this invite, Jean. Thank you! I'm a reader who loves authors like George Orwell, his thoughtful essays and the way he combines realistic fiction with social and philosophical meaning. I've read a smattering of his work, but long to read it all. It looks like you're attracting some great members, and I'm excited to be part of the group!

Hi everyone!
Thank you for the invite, Jean! I've been meaning to read one of Orwell's works since long but I never got to it. Hopefully I will start reading his books with your help!

Jan wrote: "Hello, Jean and Everyone,

Good Evening from Kansas City, Missouri ..."

Wow you make your home sound so exciting! Welcome Jan; I'm happy to see you here and am looking forward to the discussions too :) Lockdown has certainly proved a challenge, but I agree, the silver lining has definitely been reading.

Janelle wrote: "Hi everyone. I’m Janelle from Australia.
Thanks for the invite Jean.
I’m in quite a few Goodreads groups including Jean’s Dickensians.
I read 1984 in high school, and his collected essays over a de..."

Lovely to see you here too Janelle! You know, several are saying they'd like to read more George Orwell, but just haven't got round to it. Hopefully this group will change all that :)

Cindy wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Jean! Animal Farm is one of my very favorite books, along with 1984. I have taught AF multiple times, though, and have never had the pleasure of teaching 1984, so that gives ..."

Yay! Another fan. Welcome Cindy, and I'm sure we'll all benefit from your in-depth knowledge of those two books. I think your comments are spot-on, and hopefully you'll come to love his other works too. Some of his essays are superb.

Roseanne wrote: "Hey everyone! Thanks for the invite Jean. I have only read Animal Farm but I have always meant to read more."

Great! Welcome Roseanne, and this is definitely the place to fix that :)

Sue wrote: "Hi Jean and thanks for the invite. I read Animal Farm and 1984 either in high school or college, many years ago, and haven’t read Orwell since. The enthusiasm of the other members is catching and I..."

Hi Sue, and welcome! It's lovely isn't it, the enthusiasm, especially since people often seem to get a glazed expression coming over their face when he is mentioned in real life. Yes, many GR members are in several groups, but I hope you will feel the urge to pop in here often, and see what is on offer :)

Connie wrote: "Thank you for the invite, Jean. I'm from Connecticut in the US. I've read "Animal Farm" and "1984." I read "1984" as part of a Dystopian Fiction lifelong learning course. It was the book that scare..."

Welcome Connie, it's so good to see you here :) You know, I don't think I had heard the word "dystopian" until around 20 years ago! So strange since "Utopian" was a familiar concept. Now of course "dystopian" fiction is far more fashionable, but certainly Nineteen Eighty-Four remains a truly chilling classic. I'm so pleased you want to read more :)

Pamela wrote: "Thanks for the invite Jean! I’m a long term admirer of Orwell, having read most of his novels in my youth (my favourite is probably Burmese Days) and started his essays and non fiction more recentl..."

Welcome Pamela! Lovely to see you here, and that you are a keen reader of George Orwell. It's great that you're already reading his essays; we're evidently going to have a great knowledge base here in our members :)

Ian wrote: "Hi Jean, what a terrific initiative to re-activate this group, thanks for the invitation. I’m from Sydney, Australia, in the middle of lockdown. I have read some Orwell. I was struck by the privati..."

Hi Ian! I'm so please you joined, and think your comment on George Orwell's essays is itself so pithy that I've put it in our Essays thread :)

When I saw this group languishing I couldn't bear it! There are so many fans of George Orwell here already, and so much potential! The Goodreads staff just needed a few pokes to agree ... ;)

Lockdown has certainly changed all our lives, hasn't it, and you're in the middle of another? It's definitely a good idea to turn it round, and read all those books you always meant to. So great to hear a little more about you too!

Kathleen wrote: "I was so happy to see this invite, Jean. Thank you! I'm a reader who loves authors like George Orwell, his thoughtful essays and the way he combines realistic fiction with social and philosophical ..."

Oh how I agree - yes! Welcome Kathleen, and like you, I am delighted to see how many are showing interest in George Orwell.

Anupama wrote: "Hi everyone!
Thank you for the invite, Jean! I've been meaning to read one of Orwell's works since long but I never got to it. Hopefully I will start reading his books with your help!"

Welcome Anupama! I'm so pleased you joined, and how exciting that you've never read any George Orwell! You have a treat in store, and I hope you will enjoy Bookshop Memories. It's a good start, and I think it will make you laugh :)

Hi all!
I'm Jantine, 37, Dutch, and dragged here by Jean ;-) It's been way too long since I've read Orwell, and I cannot promise to tag along on group reads - I managed to get into a lot of online book clubs over the last couple of months and could not not request a couple of Netgalley books, which is awesome, but I have only so much time to read when I'm not working or playing Dungeons and Dragons or, y'know, trying to keep up with household chores. Although 'I have to read this' is a very good reason to not do the latter obviously, doing too much of that would make my house a pigsty, and I don't like to be associated with pigs per sé. They did get to rule the farm for a while, but still.

Hi everyone!
My name is Erin! I'm 19 and I'm a literature and cinema student from the United States. I've read both 1984 and Animal Farm and they are among my favorite books. I'm looking forward to getting to know Orwell better through some of his other works.
I'm super excited to join this group!
Thanks for the invite, Jean :)

Jantine wrote: "Hi all!
I'm Jantine, 37, Dutch, and dragged here by Jean ;-) ..."

LOL Jantine, your post made me laugh! Welcome, and whatever time you like to spend here will be just fine! I reckon you'll find you can fit is=n a half hour essay or two now and then without the D&D community getting too upset ... and I hope you enjoy the group!

Hi, Jean and everyone! Thanks for the invite, Jean, and for the restart of the Orwell group. It been a long while since I read Animal Farm and 1984 and happy you have re-ignited my good intentions to read more of Orwell's works. I am originally an East-coaster in the U.S., but now retired in Nevada and enjoy reading all types of books in the air-conditioning during our hot (112-115 degree F) summer! I downloaded a book of Orwell's essays, Classics to Go: A Collection of Essays, which includes "Bookshop Memories: 1936" among others. Looking forward to learning more about the man, the author, and the satirist.

Erin wrote: "Hi everyone!
My name is Erin! I'm 19 and I'm a literature and cinema student from the United States. I've read both 1984 and Animal Farm and they are among my favorite books. I'm looking forward to..."

Hi Erin! I'm delighted you have joined. How fantastic to have read those two books, and be raring for more :) Welcome!

Elizabeth A.G. wrote: "Hi, Jean and everyone! Thanks for the invite, Jean, and for the restart of the Orwell group. It been a long while since I read Animal Farm and 1984 and happy you have re-ignited my good intentions ..."

Welcome Elizabeth - it's lovely to have you with us! And thanks for the recommendation. I've found several different collections of the essays, and a couple including his novels, all for mere pennies but I'm never sure what is available in other countries.

It sounds as though lots have good intentions to read more George Orwell, and I'm really looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts :)

Hello Jean and thank you for the invitation. My name is Brenda and I live in S. Florida. I have been somewhat solitary on Goodreads and this will be my first group! One thing I appreciate about Goodreads is that it broadens my reading horizons.

Hello! This is the first time I am commenting in a group. I’m an English teacher and very much looking forward to discussions about Orwell’s work, especially 1984 which I will be teaching for our new A level course when it starts. I’ve taught Animal Farm several times: it’s a privilege to witness students’ outrage and engagement with the the characters. I’ve also read Aspidistra and Down & Out as well as a few of his essays which are so elegantly crafted!
I’m in South London, UK.

Hi Jean sorry for the late response to your message. I am rattling to get back on my usual reads, not long now though.
Both of those Orwell books look great and I'll be sure to have a tissue handy.
Caitlin is back from uni with her degree and has a full time job although not what she wants it is getting good money for her and Connor stayed in Brighton as he has a full time job down there, he is doing exactly what he wanted though. It's strange having another person here after 3 years however we are rubbing along ok lol

Brenda wrote: "Hello Jean and thank you for the invitation. My name is Brenda and I live in S. Florida. I have been somewhat solitary on Goodreads and this will be my first group! One thing I appreciate about Goo..."

Hi Brenda and welcome to "George Orwell Matters!" It's fantastic that this is your first group, and I hope you enjoy it :) I agree about Goodreads broadening one's reading horizons. I've read far more nonfiction since being here - and even tried a few American authors (I say "even", because my reading of US authors was - and still is really - woefully inadequate.)

I'm so pleased you found the group :)

Madeleine wrote: "Hello! This is the first time I am commenting in a group. I’m an English teacher and very much looking forward to discussions about Orwell’s work, especially 1984 which I will be teaching for our n..."

Welcome Madeleine, and I'm delighted you have joined. It's hard nerving yourself up for that first comment isn't it? Many thousands of comments later, I still remember it - so well done! I'm sure you will make lots of great observations, and am looking forward to your posts. In just a couple of days we have already garnered quite a few members with expertise, which is fantastic :) I do hope you find the group fulfilling, as well.

Tracey wrote: "Hi Jean sorry for the late response to your message ..."

Not at all Tracey! I'm chasing my own tail here LOL! Is it really three years since your kiddos went to uni? Wow time flies - and now you have another "challenge" with one returner. Great to hear they are doing OK, and I hope you are too :)

Hello Jeanne. Thanks for inviting me to join this group.

Orwell is one of my favourite writers and I have read every book and essay he has written. Some of them multiple times over.

I especially love, Keep the Aspidistra flying, down and out, Coming up for Air, the road to Wigan pier, Homage to Catalonia,

essays: shooting an elephant, a hanging, the spike, why I write, book shop memories, Marrakech, how the poor die, Dickens, Tosltoy, and his essay on Miller's tropic of cancer.

currently on bk #2 of his BBC journalism and Diaries.

amazing writer and such an interesting man!