George Orwell Matters! discussion

Most people know of the final two novels by George Orwell, even if they have not read them. Which novels by him have you read? And which would you like to read with the group?

(Please do not place any spoilers here!)

I've read 1984 and Animal Farm numerous times and I have Down and out in Paris and London and The Road to Wigan Pier yet to read. I didn't know what a big back catalogue Orwell had until joining this group, so thank you again for the invite Jean. :)

The Clergyman's Daughter
Coming Up for Air
Keep the Aspidistra Flying
Burmese Days
1984
Animal Farm

I've read all the above and don't know which I would like to reread. It's a hard decision!

I've read the classics (1984, Animal Farm) and Homage to Catalonia

Interested to know recommendations on others I should check out!

Jean do you mean just his novels? Or his nonfiction books as well like down and out and homage to Catalonia?

I’ve read all his novels except for Coming Up for Air

I also haven’t read Homage to Catalonia or The Road to Wigan Pier

So one of those three for me.

Rosemarie wrote: "The Clergyman's Daughter
Coming Up for Air
Keep the Aspidistra Flying
Burmese Days
1984
Animal Farm

I've read al..."

Try 'The Road to Wigan' Pier! An amazing read

Janelle wrote: "Jean do you mean just his novels? Or his nonfiction books as well like down and out and homage to Catalonia?

I’ve read all his novels except for Coming Up for Air

I also haven’t rea..."
The Road to Wigan Pier, most definitely should be next. :)

I've read all of his novels and Non-Fiction. I have re-read:
Keep the Aspidistra Flying 3 times, (Fave)
Down and Out 3 times, (also Fave)
Wigan Pier 2 times, (2nd Fave)
Animal Farm 2 times,
1984 2 times.

All just incredible reads.

I've read The Road to Wigan Pier, Down and Out in Paris and London and Homage to Catelonia as well, but they're technically not novels, so I didn't list them. But I agree that they are incredible. He writes so vividly.

Janelle, I think people have broadened it out here to include his non-fiction too, which is fine, as long as it's clear. I've started a separate thread as well though :)

I just finished Coming Up for Air which I thoroughly enjoyed. My short review for anyone interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

What a great review Janelle - thanks! And the novel sounds hilarious :D It's interesting to read George Orwell's early novels, and see where it all started :)

I started with Down and Out in Paris and London in November, then Burmese Days, and Keep the Aspidistra Flying. Just completed The Clergyman’s Daughter last night and am starting The Road to Wigan Pier now. I’m enjoying them all, but The Clergyman’s Daughter is my favorite so far. It was difficult at first given the main characters struggles, but her journey is fascinating. I’m curious how film and stage adaptations have handled chapter 2 and the formal shift in chapter 3. If anyone has recommendations for versions they’ve seen, I’d love to hear about it. I’ll check the adaptations thread as well.

That's really interesting about A Clergyman's Daughter Pam! Thanks - gosh you're on quite a George Orwell binge :)

NB. Everyone - I advise against reading the blurb for this edition: A Clergyman's Daughter (The Complete Works of George Orwell, Vol. 3) by George Orwell, Peter Hobley Davison. It contains a huge spoiler :( The one I linked to is safer.

I might have to look for these essays, check the library to see if they have anything by George Orwell. Sounds so interesting, especially some of these writings.

I have A Clergyman's Daughter but haven't started reading it yet. Currently reading Coming Up For Air

I have so much left to read! These are the ones I've read, I think in this order:
Animal Farm
1984
Keep the Aspidistra Flying
Down and Out in Paris and London

I have the most wonderful memories of reading Keep the Aspidistra Flying. It was pre-goodreads, so who knows why I only gave it 4 stars. Will surely be five on re-read.

I have Burmese Days, so may get to that one next, but since Tom's fave was Aspidistra and he highly recommends Wigan Pier, I'm very tempted. :-)

Good reading. You are doing so well with keeping up with George Orwell's work. Congratulations

I'm about to start reading George Orwell's novels commencing with Animal Farm...here goes...

It's so good to hear what everyone is reading, thanks Kathleen!

Boadicea - I hope you love it! Even though it's such a late novel, I still think it's a good one to start with :)

Thanks for the encouragement, Jean, I was a bit late to the Readalong party but may yet catch up?

Oh yes - this is a very loose group, to allow for all our different interests and commitments!

None in a long, long time. I will have to get back to Mr Orwell's books.

This is his most well known and popular book. Good reading, enjoy.

Tom wrote: "I've read all of his novels and Non-Fiction. I have re-read:
Keep the Aspidistra Flying 3 times, (Fave)
Down and Out 3 times, (also Fave)
Wigan Pier 2 times, (2nd Fave)
Animal Farm 2 times,
1984 ..."
I know what 2 times means: it means twice.

Ken wrote: "I know what 2 times means: it means twice...."

OK ... welcome to the group, Ken. Is there a novel by George Orwell you particularly like?

Animal Farm. I have to look into more of his writings.

recently reread 1984 and the clergyman daughter looking forward to rereading Burmese days and the road to Wigan pier I've read all the novels at some point and a lot of the essays to always a pleasure to read Orwell.

I recently read The Clergyman's Daughter, and it's the only Orwell I've finished. (I didn't quite complete 1984 some years ago, so want to re-read that before I go in for the finish.)

Currently reading Burmese Days and A Clergyman's Daughter

Also recently finished Keep the Aspidistra Flying

1984 & Animal Farm on repeat, much like the rest of the world.

The usual 1984 and the Animal Farm. I have to read more of his books. I have read some short essays.

I have read:
Animal Farm
1984
Coming Up for Air

I own but have yet to read:
A Clergyman's Daughter
The Road to Wigan Pier

And I am most interested in next reading:
Keep the Aspidistra Flying

None recently, but I will have to get back to his books.

I have now finished reading all of the ones that Eileen listed

1. 1984
2. Animal Farm

I'm really impressed by all this :)

I have read 11 of George Orwell’s works.
Essays
Coming up for air
Burmese Days
A Clergyman’s Daughter
Homage to Catalonia
Keep the Aspidistra’s Flying
Down and Out in Paris and London
The Road to Wigan Pier
Why I Write
1984
Animal Farm

I would like to reread some of the essays.

John wrote: I would like to reread some of the essays."

Please do John, and add your thoughts to ours! We've read 14, mostly published separately, so you can read any of these via the link in its own thread:

LINK HERE To read any essay, click on the title.

Great going on his longer works! 😊