Orwell for Beginners

Writers & Readers Documentary Comic Book #19

by David Smith, Michael Mosher (Illustrator)

Animal Farm, steeped in scathing commentary about communism and the Russian Revolution, as well as 1984, a ferocious parody of the totalitarian state, are masterpieces of literature and social thought. This insightful book shows that contrary to popular opinion, author George Orwell was actually a passionate socialist. It recounts events that influenced his work, including his experiences as a left-wing journalist and soldier in the Spanish Civil War.

Genres: Biography, Graphic Novels

Paperback

First published May 1, 1984

Reviews

[Glen]

I have been reading Orwell on and off for years ... You can read a persons work and yet know little about them ... This is an excellent ... Very readable ... Potted piece about a British writer and visionary ... Right down to the size of his feet ...

[Ken French]

Disappointing. I was expecting more of an overview of Orwell's life and work. Instead, this is more of a dated look at what his work "means."

[Ted]

If you want to understand Orwell and the development of his social and political points of view, this book is a good place to start. In fewer than 200 pages it provides an in-depth biography of Orwell, traces the evolution of his political thought and reviews each of his published works from historical, sociological and political perspectives. There may be better biographies of Orwell on the market but this one deserves mention because of its clarity and brevity. The illustrations are a bonus that add interest and enjoyment to the book. I've been reading Orwell off and on since the 1960s and I wish I had come across this book long ago. It helped me to understand Orwell and his works in a new light.

[Tom Ratcliffe]

They should make it clearer this is for kids

[Caleb Johnson]

Eye opening.