Scan barcode
A review by salam_
A Collection of Essays by George Orwell
4.0
Okay so, let's get one thing straight: My review is not of this particular book, but I've read a collection of Orwell's essays and didn't know how to mark them.
The essays I read are:
- Politics and The English Language: It was what intrigued me to read these bunch of essays in the first place. I got the idea that it was what gave birth to the idea of Newspeak (the language used in 1984), but upon reading it, it was very different.. More like a critique of changes in writing styles. Orwell was very "bitter? lol" in his criticism, though.
- Some Thoughts on the Common Toad: This was, I think, my favorite of the collection. It basically sends the message that: even though the world is crumbling around us, doesn't mean that we can't appreciate the little beautiful things surrounding us.
- Shooting An Elephant: This essay, was the most thought-provoking of them all. It made me think of colonization in a deeper way. It was very interesting to see the point of view of someone among the colonizers.
- You and the Atomic Bomb: I could see many ideas that ended in the book in 1984 forming in this essay, and like 1984 it was somewhat prophetical.
- Confessions of a Book Reviewer: I thought I'd relate more to this essay but it was in fact, more like a description of how a life of a professional book reviewer is (someone who does it as a job). So naturally- did not relate. But George Orwell did build a realistic, almost tangible setting and atmosphere.
- Poetry and the Microphone: Reminded me of what we now call Podcasts. Orwell would've been proud that this thing exists now. But the dilemma of the image of poetry, and its accessibility is still unfortunately, present.
- Books Vs. Cigarettes: THE BEST ARGUMENTS AGAINST BOOK-BUYING HATERS!
In conclusion, I can say with confidence, that I prefer Orwell's nonfiction, over his fiction.
The essays I read are:
- Politics and The English Language: It was what intrigued me to read these bunch of essays in the first place. I got the idea that it was what gave birth to the idea of Newspeak (the language used in 1984), but upon reading it, it was very different.. More like a critique of changes in writing styles. Orwell was very "bitter? lol" in his criticism, though.
- Some Thoughts on the Common Toad: This was, I think, my favorite of the collection. It basically sends the message that: even though the world is crumbling around us, doesn't mean that we can't appreciate the little beautiful things surrounding us.
- Shooting An Elephant: This essay, was the most thought-provoking of them all. It made me think of colonization in a deeper way. It was very interesting to see the point of view of someone among the colonizers.
- You and the Atomic Bomb: I could see many ideas that ended in the book in 1984 forming in this essay, and like 1984 it was somewhat prophetical.
- Confessions of a Book Reviewer: I thought I'd relate more to this essay but it was in fact, more like a description of how a life of a professional book reviewer is (someone who does it as a job). So naturally- did not relate. But George Orwell did build a realistic, almost tangible setting and atmosphere.
- Poetry and the Microphone: Reminded me of what we now call Podcasts. Orwell would've been proud that this thing exists now. But the dilemma of the image of poetry, and its accessibility is still unfortunately, present.
- Books Vs. Cigarettes: THE BEST ARGUMENTS AGAINST BOOK-BUYING HATERS!
In conclusion, I can say with confidence, that I prefer Orwell's nonfiction, over his fiction.