One of the most enduringly popular and controversial writers of the twentieth century, George Orwell’s work is as relevant today as it was in his own lifetime. Possibly, in the age of Brexit and populism, even more so. He foresaw ‘Fake News’ in Nineteen Eighty Four’s ‘Doublethink’, the creation of the EU and predicted that post-Imperial xenophobia would cause Britain to leave it.
Separate from his career as a political theorist and novelist, Orwell’s life is fascinating in its own right. Disillusioned with his family’s upper middle-class complacency, Orwell grew to despise the class system that spawned him, despite being unable to fully detach from it. In truth, he reserved as much suspicion and distaste for the ‘proles’ as he did pity.
Orwell: A Man of Our Time offers a vivid portrait of the man behind the writings, placing both him and his work at the centre of the current political landscape.
By:
Richard Bradford
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 198mm,
Width: 129mm,
Weight: 238g
ISBN: 9781448217694
ISBN 10: 1448217695
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 17 August 2021
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction The Misfit and the Pure Hell of St Cyprian’s Eton Burma Slumming it Was Orwell an Antisemite? Hopeless Books, Marriage, and the Journey North Spain and Serious Politics Between Wars War Explosive Journalism Changes Animal Farm Jura Nineteen Eighty-Four Epilogue Bibliography Index
Richard Bradford is Research Professor in English at Ulster University and Visiting Professor at the University of Avignon. He has published over twenty-five acclaimed books, including a biography of Philip Larkin, which was an Independent Book of the Year, the authorised biography of Alan Sillitoe, a life of Kingsley Amis and a biography of Kingsley's son, Martin. According to The Sunday Times his life of Hemingway is a 'bombshell biography.' He has written for the Spectator and The Sunday Times and has been interviewed on his work for various BBC Radio Arts Programmes, as well as appearing on the Channel 4 Series 'Writers in their Own Words'. His The Importance of Elsewhere, on Larkin the photographer, inspired a BBC TV programme.
Reviews for Orwell: A Man Of Our Time
This authoritative and informative study is a fascinating examination of his life and ideas. * Choice Magazine * Fascinating book. * The Times * A brilliant biography of Orwell, reminding us that his work is as relevant as ever. * Irish Independent * Excellent. ***** * The Telegraph * Bradford gives a compelling analysis … pleasing idiosyncrasy, odd surprises and well-landed punches. * The Oldie *
