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Essays

Penguin Modern Classics

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The articles collected in George Orwell's Essays illuminate the life and work of one of the most individual writers of this century - a man who elevated political writing to an art.

This outstanding collection brings together Orwell's longer, major essays and a fine selection of shorter pieces that includes 'My Country Right or Left', 'Decline of the English Murder', 'Shooting an Elephant' and 'A Hanging'. With great originality and wit Orwell unfolds his views on subjects ranging from a revaluation of Charles Dickens to the nature of Socialism, from a comic yet profound discussion of naughty seaside postcards to a spirited defence of English cooking. Displaying an almost unrivalled mastery of English plain prose, Orwell's essays created a unique literary manner from the process of thinking aloud and continue to challenge, move and entertain.

This Penguin Modern Classics edition includes an introduction by Bernard Crick.

(P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Essays Literary History & Criticism Political Science Politics & Government Socialism
All stars
Most relevant
Listened to all of these essays - I notice there has been some criticism of the reader as 'monotone', but really I thought the fairly neutral style suited the prose very well. Letting Orwell do the talking in this understated and appropriate performance.

Wonderful listening

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Classic essays, but the titles are not given in the chapter screen, which makes it difficult to navigate the audiobook.

Essay titles missing

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This is an especially great listen - essays so good to listen to in chunks in the day, on a commute.

But these essays are totally relevant today as they were in the 30s and 40s. References to century old information is fascinating, but the messages throughout - culture, politics, media, attitudes - are as pertinent now as they were then and Orwell analyses with absolute skill. In fact, this book may be more pertinent now than was 10, 20, 30 years ago. The one essay that I class as historical is Orwell's account of his school life - and that is interesting on its own account. Enjoy 1984, Animal Farm, in many ways these essays are even more interesting (especialliy if you read those works!). IMO. Oh yes, well read.

Terrific - especially suitable to Audible.

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Is Geo. Orwell the supreme essayist? I learned to enjoy the narration. Where’s Crick? (Introduction). As others have mentioned, the lack of a Chapter Index is very slack by Penguin. You have to scroll through the chapters to find the essay you want - How the poor die.

Where’s Crick?

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I don't know what other title they could give to this. But from "Essays" I was expecting something altogether much drier and less charming than this. Although they are very much a product of their times (the mid-twentieth century), much of what Orwell observes here remains eerily relevant today. But on top of that, even when he is describing quite miserable situations, like his time at prep school, he remains charming and fairly lighthearted. There's some use of language that would be inappropriate in an author today. But if you can get over that and listen to what is being said, it is a super listen. In particular, I found his observations about the English laugh-out-loud funny and will certainly listen to this whole collection again.
The performance is generally fine. As often happens, I get the feeling that the performer hadn't been very thoroughly directed, because there are a few mispronunciations. But that doesn't really detract from the overall positive effect.

Unexpectedly very entertaining

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