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Why Orwell Matters
Why Orwell Matters | Christopher Hitchens
2 posts | 8 read | 6 to read
In this widely acclaimed biographical essay, Christopher Hitchens assesses the life, the achievements, and the myth of the great political writer and participant George Orwell. In true emulative and contrarian style, Hitchens is both admiring and aggressive, sympathetic yet critical, taking true measure of his subject as hero and problem. Answering both the detractors and the false claimants, Hitchens tears down the faade of sainthood erected by the hagiographers and rebuts the critics point by point. He examines Orwell and his perspectives on fascism, empire, feminism, and Englishness, as well as his outlook on America, a country and culture towards which he exhibited much ambivalence. Whether thinking about empires or dictators, race or class, nationalism or popular culture, Orwell's moral outlook remains indispensable in a world that has undergone vast changes in the fifty years since his death. Combining the best of Hitchens's polemical punch and intellectual elegance in a tightly woven and subtle argument, this book addresses not only why Orwell matters today, but how he will continue to matter in a future, uncertain world.Christopher Hitchens, one of the most incisive minds of our own age, meets Orwell on the page in this provocative encounter of wit, contention and moral truth.
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Creadnorthey
Why Orwell Matters | Christopher Hitchens
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Some of this is dated with opaque and oblique references that were way above me- not exactly an introductory text, but fun and informative to read nonetheless.

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Jari-chan
Why Orwell Matters | Christopher Hitchens
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This wasn't an easy to read. Hitchens uses a difficult and highly educated English, which makes it hard to keep track. Especially for foreigners like me. But this book sure is worth the struggle. I've learned a lot about Orwell! Hitchens shows us a human being behind the big name, he doesn't glorify Orwell, but instead also writes about Orwells faults. If you want to learn more about Orwells life, I can only recommend this book.

@TheAromaOfBooks

TrishB Sounds interesting, 3y
Jari-chan @TrishB It is! ☺️ 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 3y
Jari-chan @TheAromaofBooks Thank you 😊 3y
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