A vivid portrait of the man behind the writings, placing Orwell and his work at the centre of the current political landscape. 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, Trump, and populism, even more so. 'Doublethink' features in Nineteen Eighty-Four and it is the forerunner to 'Fake News'. He foresaw the creation of the EU and more significantly he predicted that post-Imperial xenophobia would cause Britain to leave it. His struggle with his own antisemitism could serve as a lesson to today's Labour Party, and, while the Soviet Union is gone, China has taken its place as a totalitarian superpower. Aside from his importance as a political theorist and novelist, Orwell's life is fascinating in its own right. Caught between uncertainty and his family's upper middle-class complacency, Orwell grew to despise the class system that spawned him despite finding himself unable to fully detach himself from it. His life thereafter mirrored the history of his country; like many from his background, he devoted himself to socialism as a salve to his conscience. In truth he reserved as much suspicion and distaste for the 'proles' as he did pity. He died at the point when Britain's status as an Imperial and world power had waned, but his work remains both prescient and significant.

A vivid portrait of the man behind the writings, placing Orwell and his work at the centre of the current political landscape.

About the Author
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. The Man Who Wasn't There, his account of Hemingway's life, is a 'bombshell biography' according to The Sunday Times. Most recently, he has delved into the troubled life of Patricia Highsmith in Devils, Lusts and Strange Desires. 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 compilation of Philip Larkin's best amateur photographs in The Importance of Elsewhere has inspired a BBC TV programme.

Reviews
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 *



Book Information
ISBN 9781448217694
Author Richard Bradford
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Bloomsbury Caravel
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 238g