Description
Discover the transformative journey of Eric Arthur Blair, famously known as George Orwell, in the groundbreaking book *Becoming George Orwell*. This compelling narrative unveils how Orwell evolved from a reserved writer to a cultural icon whose impact resonates through time. Authored by John Rodden, this insightful exploration doesn't just highlight Orwell's literary milestones, such as *Animal Farm* and *Nineteen Eighty-Four*, but delves into the intricacies of his life and emotional struggles that inform his work. Rodden’s analysis positions Orwell not merely as a novelist but as a mythic figure whose terms like 'Big Brother', 'doublethink', and 'thoughtcrime' have transcended literature to shape our societal discourse. In today's era of misinformation and surveillance, Orwell's insights remain critical, making this book a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone intrigued by the intertwining of literature and politics. With a focus on his legacy and relevance, *Becoming George Orwell* is a thought-provoking examination of how one man's words continue to provoke thought and inspire action in an age rife with 'fake news'. This brand new book comes in trade binding format from Princeton University Press and is available with FREE shipping. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery, and note that once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691182742
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
The remarkable transformation of Orwell from journeyman writer to towering icon
Is George Orwell the most influential writer who ever lived? Yes, according to John Rodden’s provocative book about the transformation of a man into a myth. Rodden does not argue that Orwell was the most distinguished man of letters of the last century, nor even the leading novelist of his generation, let alone the greatest imaginative writer of English prose fiction. Yet his influence since his death at midcentury is incomparable. No other writer has aroused so much controversy or contributed so many incessantly quoted words and phrases to our cultural lexicon, from 'Big Brother' and 'doublethink' to 'thoughtcrime' and 'Newspeak.' Becoming George Orwell is a pathbreaking tour de force that charts the astonishing passage of a litterateur into a legend.
Rodden presents the author of Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four in a new light, exploring how the man and writer Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, came to be overshadowed by the spectral figure associated with nightmare visions of our possible futures. Rodden opens with a discussion of the life and letters, chronicling Orwell’s eccentricities and emotional struggles, followed by an assessment of his chief literary achievements. The second half of the book examines the legend and legacy of Orwell, whom Rodden calls 'England’s Prose Laureate,' looking at everything from cyberwarfare to 'fake news.' The closing chapters address both Orwell’s enduring relevance to burning contemporary issues and the mu
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691182742
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
The remarkable transformation of Orwell from journeyman writer to towering icon
Is George Orwell the most influential writer who ever lived? Yes, according to John Rodden’s provocative book about the transformation of a man into a myth. Rodden does not argue that Orwell was the most distinguished man of letters of the last century, nor even the leading novelist of his generation, let alone the greatest imaginative writer of English prose fiction. Yet his influence since his death at midcentury is incomparable. No other writer has aroused so much controversy or contributed so many incessantly quoted words and phrases to our cultural lexicon, from 'Big Brother' and 'doublethink' to 'thoughtcrime' and 'Newspeak.' Becoming George Orwell is a pathbreaking tour de force that charts the astonishing passage of a litterateur into a legend.
Rodden presents the author of Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four in a new light, exploring how the man and writer Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, came to be overshadowed by the spectral figure associated with nightmare visions of our possible futures. Rodden opens with a discussion of the life and letters, chronicling Orwell’s eccentricities and emotional struggles, followed by an assessment of his chief literary achievements. The second half of the book examines the legend and legacy of Orwell, whom Rodden calls 'England’s Prose Laureate,' looking at everything from cyberwarfare to 'fake news.' The closing chapters address both Orwell’s enduring relevance to burning contemporary issues and the mu