On Ninety Eighty-Four (A Biography)

On Nineteen Eighty-Four

A Biography

by D.J. Taylor

ABRAMS

Abrams Press

History

Pub Date 15 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of On Nineteen Eighty-Four: A biography through Abrams Press and Netgalley:

Early in the summer of 1949 the first reviews of a new novel by English writer George Orwell began to appear on either side of the Atlantic. By the Autumn of 1949 Ninety Eighty-Four had turned into a runaway transatlantic success.

Since it’s publication nearly seventy years ago George Orwell’s 1984 has been called one of the most influential novels of the modern day. Everyone from politicians to rock stars have testified about the influence the novel has had on them. Rock musicians have made records about the book, reality shows have been named for it.

This book delves deeper into Orwell’s earlier life and writings including the strict Charismatic headmaster from his years at boarding school helped him to shape big brother. In this book Taylor tells the story of the writing of the book, taking readers to the Scottish island of Jura, where Orwell, newly famous thanks to Animal Farm but coping with personal tragedy and rapidly declining health, struggled to finish 1984. Published during the cold war — a term Orwell coined — Taylor elucidates the environmental influences on the book. Then he examines 1984’s post-publication life, including its role as a tool to understand our language, politics, and government.

In a time when truth, survelliance and censorship and critical thinking are contentious Orwell’s work has become necessary.

I give On Ninety Eighty-Four five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!