Reviews for The Unknown Orwell and Orwell: The Transformation: The Transformation

The average rating for The Unknown Orwell and Orwell: The Transformation: The Transformation based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-08-06 00:00:00 John Distaulo, Jr. This is the first volume of a two part examination of Orwell's development as a writer. This volume covers his early life (he was born in 1903 as Eric Blair), up until the publication of his first book, Down and Out in Paris and London, in January of 1933. Throughout his self-described lower-upper-middleclass upbringing, education at Eton, and five year stint in the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, he remained Eric Blair. But he returned to England at age 24 with a hatred for imperialism and a sympathy for the oppressed that had its first expression in Down and Out in Paris and London, published five years later under the name George Orwell. This pen name was initially adopted because he feared the book would upset his parents, but ironically, its success was such that he was more or less forced to continue writing as Orwell. This book is an exhaustive and scholarly study of the various influences that played a role in the early life of Orwell. It is as fascinating as it is comprehensive, and highly recommended for all his admirers.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-03-22 00:00:00 Ryan Green Brilliant book and so well written. So many interesting titbits about one of my favourite authors. It really is about how Eric Author Blair became Orwell, which was quite an unconscious decision in the end. Fascinating read on so many levels. I recommend this book very much to Orwell enthusiasts, historians and writers alike. :-)