George Orwell: A Life in Letters [Hardcover]

From his school days to his tragic early death, George Orwell, who never wrote an autobiography, chronicled the dramatic events of his turbulent life in a profusion of powerful letters. Indeed, one of the twentieth centurys most revered icons was a lively, prolific correspondent who developed in rich, nuanced dispatches the ideas that would influence generations of writers and intellectuals. This historic worknever before published in America and featuring many previously unseen letterspresents an account of Orwells interior life as personal and absorbing as readers may ever see.Appearing for the first time in one volume, these trenchant letters tell the eloquent narrative of Orwells life in his own words. [A] judiciously chosen selection of some of the most interesting of [his] casual writings&. The result is a much more rounded image of Orwell and his circle& Starred review. Orwells keen insight and acerbic wit reverberate throughout these selected letters, culled from more than 10 volumes to offer a comprehensive view of his life and personality&An unusually gratifying read for Orwell enthusiasts and casual readers alike. It is the portable Orwell, the condensed autobiography that Orwell never wrote&All [the letters] remain fresh, illuminating the complex paradox that was George Orwell. Starred review. Orwell the man truly emerges in these revealing letters; this essential companion volume to the Beautifully edited&One of the glories of this volume is that it shows Orwell in the round, complete with all his human idiosyncracies and contradictions. [Peter Davisons] attention to detail is nothing short of heroic&This is the authentic Orwell voice: wonderfully clear and fresh and forthright. This new edition of Orwells letters is imperative for anyone who wishes to earn a larger understanding of the twentieth centurys most potent essayist. Any Orwell admirer will be grateful for Davisons industry in carving out manageable chunks from the millions of wlSS