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‘When I was about sixteen I suddenly discovered the joy of mere words’

Best known for his remarkable novels Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell’s essay writings throughout the 1930s and 40s are just as compelling. From ‘Why I Write’ to ‘Shooting an Elephant’ and ‘A Hanging’, his observations offer contemporary readers a snapshot of Britain during some of its most turbulent decades.

This collection, ranging from Orwell’s experiences as a police officer in South-East Asia to opinion pieces on British political unrest and the horrors of war, is a selection of his most acclaimed essays, which continue to be revered today for their originality and insight.

About the author

George Orwell was the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair (1903–1950). A renowned journalist, essayist, critic and novelist, he is best known for his novels Animal Farm and 1984, and his work remains influential to this day.