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Essays

Penguin Modern Classics

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Essays

By: George Orwell, Bernard Crick - introduction
Narrated by: Ben Arogundade
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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
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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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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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This is frustrating. A wonderful book, read by someone who sounds as if he’s been told to stand up and read to the rest of the class in an English lesson. I tried giving him the benefit of the doubt, but it soon became intolerable. Since, as far as I know, there isn’t an alternative version, I guess this is one I’ll just have to read myself.

Great writing, not great narration.

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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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