I appreciate you supporting the channel and glad you liked this review, too. Orwell is a fascinating writer with a lot of interesting non fiction that gets overshadowed by his fiction.
A very interesting book that's recently been widely discussed in the UK. It’s truly eye-opening, especially when viewed in the context of the current situation in the EU. With its modern technology and geopolitical tensions, it serves as a stark reminder of those critical years leading up to a major war. I’m particularly keen to read it, as Orwell’s wife also played a significant role in the resistance forces, which adds another fascinating layer to the story.
I have just finished the new (relatively )non fiction The Ministry of Truth by Dorian Lynskey. The book is very detailed and very well researched but biased about Orwell in Spanish Civil War. I liked your review very much and think you are absolutely right. Thank you.
Your “short review” conveyed well the flavour of the book. I agree with you that as literature it should rank high. It is memoir writing at its best. (I haven’t actually ‘read’ the book but listened to the talking book, recently in fact).
Rightly describing George Orwell as "one of the great commentators of his own era." Personally, I'd go further and say of any era in the English language. Orwell had an ability to get to the visceral in a way that few have. Shakespeare regularly did. James Baldwin also did.
Nice overview. 👍 The Guardian article you link to should, itself, be read with caution because it’s author, Paul Preston, is responsible for some very one-sided publications on the subject.
1984 is great; as is Down and Out and Wigan Pier. I also like Burmese days but I found Homage a bit of a struggle. Very insightful but I found it quite dull
bit late now but mate wigan pier is absolutely Fantastic! i still think about it. in my opinion After animal farm it is orwells strongest writing. i have never read anything like it or since.
yes..a very important look at war/politics and at Orwell himself..oddly enough, I'm just listening to a very good RUclips version at the moment...Thankyou Pearl. As you say, Orwell's non-fiction is easily as good,if not better than hyis better known fiction..I love his essays from his days in Burma in particular..
@@thepearlreview9236 He wrote his masterpieces „Animal Farm“ Nineteen Eighty-Four after Homage to Catalonia. I would say that Homage to Catalonia is more like research, series of stories without central plot… But great introduction to greatest warnings to humanity that it can be trapped in totalitarianism.
I thought Orwell went to Barcelona looking for a job as a journalist before the coup d'etat by Franco. It's not a reliable writer, of course, the first chapter he tries to idealize many things.
His story reminds me on the present situation in Rojava.
Thank you for reviewing this nonfiction by Orwell. I appreciate and like Orwell very much, too.
I appreciate you supporting the channel and glad you liked this review, too. Orwell is a fascinating writer with a lot of interesting non fiction that gets overshadowed by his fiction.
A very interesting book that's recently been widely discussed in the UK. It’s truly eye-opening, especially when viewed in the context of the current situation in the EU. With its modern technology and geopolitical tensions, it serves as a stark reminder of those critical years leading up to a major war. I’m particularly keen to read it, as Orwell’s wife also played a significant role in the resistance forces, which adds another fascinating layer to the story.
I love the proverb before the forward. Perfectly illustrates the paradox of the conflict
I have just finished the new (relatively )non fiction The Ministry of Truth by Dorian Lynskey. The book is very detailed and very well researched but biased about Orwell in Spanish Civil War. I liked your review very much and think you are absolutely right. Thank you.
Saw this book and definitely a really interesting book, thanks for your synopsis of the book and I’ll totally be picking it up.
Your “short review” conveyed well the flavour of the book. I agree with you that as literature it should rank high. It is memoir writing at its best. (I haven’t actually ‘read’ the book but listened to the talking book, recently in fact).
Rightly describing George Orwell as "one of the great commentators of his own era." Personally, I'd go further and say of any era in the English language.
Orwell had an ability to get to the visceral in a way that few have. Shakespeare regularly did. James Baldwin also did.
Nice overview. 👍
The Guardian article you link to should, itself, be read with caution because it’s author, Paul Preston, is responsible for some very one-sided publications on the subject.
it was the machine gun training not the Mauser he was told manana
I liked down and out, and homage, more than 1984. Wigan pier is next on my list
1984 is great; as is Down and Out and Wigan Pier. I also like Burmese days but I found Homage a bit of a struggle. Very insightful but I found it quite dull
bit late now but mate wigan pier is absolutely Fantastic! i still think about it. in my opinion After animal farm it is orwells strongest writing. i have never read anything like it or since.
Great video. Thank you.
yes..a very important look at war/politics and at Orwell himself..oddly enough, I'm just listening to a very good RUclips version at the moment...Thankyou Pearl. As you say, Orwell's non-fiction is easily as good,if not better than hyis better known fiction..I love his essays from his days in Burma in particular..
my left ear thoroughly enjoyed this video
BÖC? I love them. Sounds way more interesting than this review. Thanks for the recommendation.
Great book, just re-listened to it last week. But, what was that at 2:58, some kind of brain fart?
Homage To Kievalonia anyone?
I have do disagree. Orwells fiction is much better than nonfiction.
Interesting. Why do you think so?
@@thepearlreview9236 He wrote his masterpieces „Animal Farm“
Nineteen Eighty-Four after Homage to Catalonia. I would say that Homage to Catalonia is more like research, series of stories without central plot… But great introduction to greatest warnings to humanity that it can be trapped in totalitarianism.
@@jakovcu I agree that 1984 is a masterpiece but HTC is far more politically insightful than Animal Farm.
@@TeknoSquirrel I would arguee that Animal Farm carries universal messagge while HTC is more particular.
The road to Wigan pier and Down and out in Paris and London beg to differ.
I thought Orwell went to Barcelona looking for a job as a journalist before the coup d'etat by Franco. It's not a reliable writer, of course, the first chapter he tries to idealize many things.
In what way did he idealize things? He was brutally honest about how short supplied everything was and how fragile everything was.