Becoming George Orwell: Life and Letters Legend and Legacy

George Orwell’s remarkable transformation from a journeyman writer to a towering icon is explored this book by John Rodden.

Rodden presents Orwell in a new light, exploring how he became overshadowed by the spectral figure associated with nightmare visions of our possible futures. The book begins with a discussion of Orwell’s life and letters, chronicling his eccentricities and emotional struggles, followed by an assessment of his literary achievements. The second half examines Orwell’s legacy, calling him “England’s Prose Laureate,” looking at topics like cyberwarfare and “fake news.” The closing chapters address Orwell’s enduring relevance to contemporary issues and the ironies of his popular reputation, showing how he and his work have become confused with the very dreads and diseases he fought against.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)