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- Jul 18, 2016
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Many here will know George Orwell's classic '1984'.
But not as many, I suspect, know 'The Road to Wigan Pier'.
I've just finished it. And when I read a book for the first time I avoid the introductions etc at the front. I read the book, form my opinions, then look to what the critics, scholars have to say.
It's in two parts. And the first part is pretty descriptive of the Northern pit communities of the time. (1937) and describes his experiences trying to get into the minds of the folks in the area. and how they lived.
But the second part is more a reflection of his own views on the society of the day, He was a Communist, and appears to have swallowed the Communist ideal hook, line and sinker. In fact it's a bit 'all over the place'. Even the people in the introductions note this.
But he is ex-India. And, at least to me, he can never lose this. And it shows up clearly in part two of the book.
so, if you read it, what conclusions did you come to ? More about Orwell than about his depictions.
INT21.
But not as many, I suspect, know 'The Road to Wigan Pier'.
I've just finished it. And when I read a book for the first time I avoid the introductions etc at the front. I read the book, form my opinions, then look to what the critics, scholars have to say.
It's in two parts. And the first part is pretty descriptive of the Northern pit communities of the time. (1937) and describes his experiences trying to get into the minds of the folks in the area. and how they lived.
But the second part is more a reflection of his own views on the society of the day, He was a Communist, and appears to have swallowed the Communist ideal hook, line and sinker. In fact it's a bit 'all over the place'. Even the people in the introductions note this.
But he is ex-India. And, at least to me, he can never lose this. And it shows up clearly in part two of the book.
so, if you read it, what conclusions did you come to ? More about Orwell than about his depictions.
INT21.