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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
A book that will make you want to read everything by both Orwell and Hitchens.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I couldn't help but be struck by the unspoken parallels between the Orwell described by Hitchens, and Hitchens himself. (Trotskyites who fell out with their fellow communists, etc.) The similarity between Orwell's treatment by the fellow traveling pro-USSR 'useful idiots' of the so-called intellectual left during his lifetime and beyond, and Hitchens' own battles with people like Noam Chomsky is remarkable, making me wonder if he is consciously modeling himself after Orwell, at least intellectually. That is to say, his ex-Trotskyite tendencies notwithstanding, he is committed to telling the truth as he perceives it, consequences be damned. His abuse by Western intellectuals for his observations that the modern American Left (or at least the staff of The Nation) is more concerned with Republicans than Osama bin Laden is very reminiscent of Orwell's excoriation by Leftist contemporaries for criticizing Stalin's betrayals and murderous abuses - they would rather attack the messenger if the truth was hurtful to their narrow and immediate cause, regardless of the consequences for their country - and the same is true of their political and intellectual heirs today.
I don't want to carry this too far - both Hitchens and Orwell are products of the time and place in which they live(d), which are different. Hitchens seems to have a bigger ego, and more of a desire to whip up controversies because of the opportunity for attention and celebrity it affords than Orwell ever did, but again that may reflect the times and his upbringing.
I recommend this book for Hitchens' use of English if nothing else.
I don't want to carry this too far - both Hitchens and Orwell are products of the time and place in which they live(d), which are different. Hitchens seems to have a bigger ego, and more of a desire to whip up controversies because of the opportunity for attention and celebrity it affords than Orwell ever did, but again that may reflect the times and his upbringing.
I recommend this book for Hitchens' use of English if nothing else.
An excellent introduction to the critical thought and reception surrounding Orwell's literary and political work. Criticism of the criticism, if you will. Hitchens demonstrates an impressive respect for Orwell the man and Orwell the writer and attempts to demystify and dismantle the aura surrounding him, though not without sounding like a bit of a dick. He writes with authority, insight, and no small measure of academic integrity, but as much as this book is about showcasing Orwell, it also ends up being about showcasing the snide remarks of a snide and audacious critic.
Personal favourite is Hitchens' look at the novels in the chapter 'Generosity and Anger'.
Personal favourite is Hitchens' look at the novels in the chapter 'Generosity and Anger'.
I got some good tidbits for teaching 1984, but this book would have been far more interesting and understandable if I was much more familiar with his full body of work and British history in general.
"Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent"
--George Orwell
Christopher Hitchens acted out this lesson from Orwell's essay "Reflections on Gandhi" most explicitly when he testified against Mother Teresa's beatification. But even when he's writing a book that means to praise someone (in this case, "Why Orwell Matters"), Hitchens doesn't indulge in hagiography.
In the book's introduction, Hitchens spells out his mission as "extricating Orwell from a pile of saccharine tablets and moist hankies". And for next 200 pages, he cuts through the white noise that surrounds Orwell, and tunes into the essence of a complicated man.
The reason Orwell MATTERS, isn't because he was infallible and saintly. It was because he struggled against his prejudices and contradictions, faced unpleasant facts, and tried to act on his principles. He was only human, but he did his damndest.
A wonderful (if brutal) example of his inner conflict, is illustrated in the essay "Shooting an Elephant". Orwell says that on one hand, he despises British colonialism and feels deep sympathy for its victims. On the other, he would gladly "drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s guts". In the end, Orwell left his post in Burma, and vigorously advocated for the dismantling of British Colonial Rule.
Orwell always tried to check himself, be transparent and intellectually honest, and had no illusions about man's darkest impulses. He knew that politics don't really matter, but principles endure. That is why Orwell is still so important today, and Hitchens argues this case with characteristic tenacity and erudition.
--George Orwell
Christopher Hitchens acted out this lesson from Orwell's essay "Reflections on Gandhi" most explicitly when he testified against Mother Teresa's beatification. But even when he's writing a book that means to praise someone (in this case, "Why Orwell Matters"), Hitchens doesn't indulge in hagiography.
In the book's introduction, Hitchens spells out his mission as "extricating Orwell from a pile of saccharine tablets and moist hankies". And for next 200 pages, he cuts through the white noise that surrounds Orwell, and tunes into the essence of a complicated man.
The reason Orwell MATTERS, isn't because he was infallible and saintly. It was because he struggled against his prejudices and contradictions, faced unpleasant facts, and tried to act on his principles. He was only human, but he did his damndest.
A wonderful (if brutal) example of his inner conflict, is illustrated in the essay "Shooting an Elephant". Orwell says that on one hand, he despises British colonialism and feels deep sympathy for its victims. On the other, he would gladly "drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s guts". In the end, Orwell left his post in Burma, and vigorously advocated for the dismantling of British Colonial Rule.
Orwell always tried to check himself, be transparent and intellectually honest, and had no illusions about man's darkest impulses. He knew that politics don't really matter, but principles endure. That is why Orwell is still so important today, and Hitchens argues this case with characteristic tenacity and erudition.
I first read this back when it came out. I was sort of getting into Orwell for the first time as an adult, I was really into Christopher Hitchens, and, well, why not?
This is biographical in a sense, but more from the political and social points of view rather than his own story. Granted, Orwell's story very much speaks to his actions as a writer, but this short piece is more about Orwell's thoughts and such.
Hitchens is always good at drawing out the conclusions necessary when it comes to a topic, whether you agree with him or not. In the decade plus since this was written, combined with losing Hitchens entirely and the continued attempts of certain ideologies to claim Orwell as their own, this book feels both dated (as it includes nothing of the last decade, nor would it be expected to) and current (given that Orwell's ideas and themes have carried for generations at this point).
Really, anyone with an interest in Orwell should give this a read based on that point alone. There's plenty to like here on a whole, even if the sum of its parts might feel lacking from time to time.
This is biographical in a sense, but more from the political and social points of view rather than his own story. Granted, Orwell's story very much speaks to his actions as a writer, but this short piece is more about Orwell's thoughts and such.
Hitchens is always good at drawing out the conclusions necessary when it comes to a topic, whether you agree with him or not. In the decade plus since this was written, combined with losing Hitchens entirely and the continued attempts of certain ideologies to claim Orwell as their own, this book feels both dated (as it includes nothing of the last decade, nor would it be expected to) and current (given that Orwell's ideas and themes have carried for generations at this point).
Really, anyone with an interest in Orwell should give this a read based on that point alone. There's plenty to like here on a whole, even if the sum of its parts might feel lacking from time to time.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Hitchens' produces a excellently written analysis of George Orwell's political, cultural and long-term influence on the western world, several decades after his untimely passing. With his usual wit and vigour he argues the case for Orwell whilst demolishing the critiques of his (obvious) literary hero. That said, Hitchens' tendency to gloss over the grittier aspects of Orwell's personality and history can be frustrating at times though he does heavily critique Orwell's fictional works as being sub-standard up until his masterpieces of Animal Farm and 1984. Orwell's views on homosexuality are brushed over with only fleeting mentions and Hitchens' (who was an advocate of the LGBT community during his short life) seems not all that concerned by his anti-gay rhetoric. That said it is interesting that Hitchens' suggests that Orwell may have been a closeted bisexual man which was certainly a surprise! Orwell's views on women can be seen as crude and misogynistic though one must place this in the context of the times in which he lived. I would be curious to see how Orwell would relate to women had he made it into his old age.
All in all this is a reasonable read though one that can leave readers confused by the towering intellect of Hitchens. His verbose language and style of writing can be a tad overwhelming for some readers though this is classic Hitchens: academic, highly articulate and cutting in his analysis. It is now a cliche to say Hitchens will be sorely missed but that doesn't stop it being a fact. I often wonder what Hitchens would make of society and western culture in 2021 especially with the rise of the far right, Trump and Brexit.
All in all this is a reasonable read though one that can leave readers confused by the towering intellect of Hitchens. His verbose language and style of writing can be a tad overwhelming for some readers though this is classic Hitchens: academic, highly articulate and cutting in his analysis. It is now a cliche to say Hitchens will be sorely missed but that doesn't stop it being a fact. I often wonder what Hitchens would make of society and western culture in 2021 especially with the rise of the far right, Trump and Brexit.
Hitchens explores the man Orwell through his works and his political actions and answers Orwell's critics. If anything after reading this I am more in awe of the man Orwell was.
Been meaning to get around to this one for a while. Hitchens and Orwell are two of my favorite people to come out of the 20th century so hearing the former’s insight into the latter sounded like a great time. Ultimately, I was a little underwhelmed. Much of the book is spent hashing out controversies between Hitchens and other intellectuals that seemed largely unimportant in making a case for why Orwell matters. But I appreciated Hitchens’ appraisals of Orwell as they really helped clarify why I find him so admirable myself. Hitch’s wit and eloquence is always a joy too. He was a man committed to principles over politics, a common sense man bored or appalled by any type of ideology, and it’s so rare to find that these days.