Beautiful essay. Congratulations on the subscribers. I respect those who can read Orwell & related material on totalitarianism today. I find I am drawn to reading that is the antithesis of this awful reality. I read and was very influenced by these years ago and see the unfortunate parallels all to clearly. The quotes you include are great.
I sure am glad I finished high school and college when this nonsense wasn't around and critical thinking was encouraged. It must be so awful for the new generation of students. I was grateful to have read Animal Farm in French (I went to French high school) and 1984 in English class. Two important books. It resonated with me especially because my family went through the horrors of Communism and the Fall. So it's insulting to me people praising communism, calling themselves comrades, doing what communists did. They should be educating themselves on what is going on in North Korea, in Cuba, in China, etc. They should be reading books like Animal Farm, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and Brave New World. These are important cautionary tales, and sadly they're coming true. BTW, you may love the film "Stilyagi" by Valery Todorovsky. It's a musical and explores the lives of fashionistas during Soviet Russia. They got it then--moving forward is the only way, being an individual too.
When I read through most of the Art of Fiction interviews, not a single one of the great writers interviewed recommended university. Literature is in a quagmire of shit right now, but one "easy" way to change that would be to abolish creative writing programs. Make Writers Dangerous Again: that's a slogan I could get behind.
If you like Orwell, Yevgeny Zamyatin's 1921 dystopia We is a must! It was the first major work of literary dissidence in the fledgling Soviet Union and a big influence on Orwell.
Agree, I don't think it has ever really been about a right or wrong "side." Orwell was a pro at identifying and calling out the wide range of bs coming from all sides, which is what we should all be trying to do.
And, in my world, the smartest, most interesting, accomplished people I know never went to/finished college either. But I can't imagine approaching an agent with that info today...
Excellent overview of Orwell. Too many people seem to think that only "the other side" is being Orwellian, and yet they neglect to apply much critical thought to their own views; they take their position and dig in. The right amount of humility may have been the key to Orwell's effectiveness.
Outstanding essay. It’s rare to find any writing that isn’t bashing the opposite side, but a growing number is disillusioned with both sides. Orwell was right to be wary of getting too enmeshed in one group, rightly assessing the danger of losing the ability to form his own opinions and falling into groupthink.
Apr 5, 2023·edited Apr 5, 2023Liked by Sincere American Writing
Yes, and the ESSAYS! Have just re-read them all and the foreshadowing of the novels are issues examined in depth.
I read this bio a while back and think that the most often missed in Orwell's life is an understanding of the role of Eileen O' O'Shaughnessy (Blair). her brother Laurence O'Shaughnessy and her sister in law Gwen.
Laurence O'Shaughnessy was a stellar surgeon, blown to bits at Dunkirk. Gwen facilitated Richard's adoption. I've added a lot of information about Eileen to Wikipedia.
New book on Eileen--Eileen: The Making of George Orwell
An excellent overview of Orwell, much needed these days when the term "Orwellian" is used liberally by both sides of the fence to describe the other. I'm happy to know more about his life and his genius, thank you!
Congrats on the milestone! And thanks for the ideas on Orwell. I’ve long loved 1984 and only really discovered his essays a few years ago which are just as incredible. As you say, it’s surprising reading them - especially on that era - that he had not attended college. But life and reading can teach us so much. Thanks for your take and giving us a moment to reflect on his work.
Beautiful essay. Congratulations on the subscribers. I respect those who can read Orwell & related material on totalitarianism today. I find I am drawn to reading that is the antithesis of this awful reality. I read and was very influenced by these years ago and see the unfortunate parallels all to clearly. The quotes you include are great.
I sure am glad I finished high school and college when this nonsense wasn't around and critical thinking was encouraged. It must be so awful for the new generation of students. I was grateful to have read Animal Farm in French (I went to French high school) and 1984 in English class. Two important books. It resonated with me especially because my family went through the horrors of Communism and the Fall. So it's insulting to me people praising communism, calling themselves comrades, doing what communists did. They should be educating themselves on what is going on in North Korea, in Cuba, in China, etc. They should be reading books like Animal Farm, 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and Brave New World. These are important cautionary tales, and sadly they're coming true. BTW, you may love the film "Stilyagi" by Valery Todorovsky. It's a musical and explores the lives of fashionistas during Soviet Russia. They got it then--moving forward is the only way, being an individual too.
When I read through most of the Art of Fiction interviews, not a single one of the great writers interviewed recommended university. Literature is in a quagmire of shit right now, but one "easy" way to change that would be to abolish creative writing programs. Make Writers Dangerous Again: that's a slogan I could get behind.
If you like Orwell, Yevgeny Zamyatin's 1921 dystopia We is a must! It was the first major work of literary dissidence in the fledgling Soviet Union and a big influence on Orwell.
You ought to read some Willa Cather 😊. Similarly difficult to pigeonhole. Admirable depth here.
Agree, I don't think it has ever really been about a right or wrong "side." Orwell was a pro at identifying and calling out the wide range of bs coming from all sides, which is what we should all be trying to do.
And, in my world, the smartest, most interesting, accomplished people I know never went to/finished college either. But I can't imagine approaching an agent with that info today...
A deep dive. Well done, Michael.
Excellent overview of Orwell. Too many people seem to think that only "the other side" is being Orwellian, and yet they neglect to apply much critical thought to their own views; they take their position and dig in. The right amount of humility may have been the key to Orwell's effectiveness.
It’s been a long time since I read 1984 but with this more multifaceted perspective on the man, I’m going to read it again.
I really liked “the carrion whiff of binary thinking..” Great read!
I’m picking up 1984 and reading it again. Thanks for the historical perspective.
Outstanding essay. It’s rare to find any writing that isn’t bashing the opposite side, but a growing number is disillusioned with both sides. Orwell was right to be wary of getting too enmeshed in one group, rightly assessing the danger of losing the ability to form his own opinions and falling into groupthink.
Congratulations on your subscriber milestone!
Yes, and the ESSAYS! Have just re-read them all and the foreshadowing of the novels are issues examined in depth.
I read this bio a while back and think that the most often missed in Orwell's life is an understanding of the role of Eileen O' O'Shaughnessy (Blair). her brother Laurence O'Shaughnessy and her sister in law Gwen.
Laurence O'Shaughnessy was a stellar surgeon, blown to bits at Dunkirk. Gwen facilitated Richard's adoption. I've added a lot of information about Eileen to Wikipedia.
New book on Eileen--Eileen: The Making of George Orwell
By Sylvia Topp 2020.
Consider joining the Orwell Society
https://orwellsociety.com/
An excellent overview of Orwell, much needed these days when the term "Orwellian" is used liberally by both sides of the fence to describe the other. I'm happy to know more about his life and his genius, thank you!
Congrats on the milestone! And thanks for the ideas on Orwell. I’ve long loved 1984 and only really discovered his essays a few years ago which are just as incredible. As you say, it’s surprising reading them - especially on that era - that he had not attended college. But life and reading can teach us so much. Thanks for your take and giving us a moment to reflect on his work.