title: George Orwell: A Life in Letters
author:  George Orwell 
description: [A] judiciously chosen selection of some of the most interesting of [his] casual writings. The result is a much more rounded image of Orwell and his circle<br /> - <strong><em>New York Times Book Review</em></strong><br /><br />Starred review. Orwells keen insight and acerbic wit reverberate throughout these selected letters, culled from more than 10 volumes to offer a comprehensive view of his life and personalityAn unusually gratifying read for Orwell enthusiasts and casual readers alike.<br /> - <strong><em>Publishers Weekly</em></strong><br /><br />It is the portable Orwell, the condensed autobiography that Orwell never wroteAll [the letters] remain fresh, illuminating the complex paradox that was George Orwell.<br /> - <strong><em>Daily Telegraph</em></strong><br /><br />Starred review. Orwell the man truly emerges in these revealing letters; this essential companion volume to the <em>Diaries</em> will be devoured by legions of Orwell fans.<br /> - <strong><em>Library Journal</em></strong><br /><br />Beautifully editedOne of the glories of this volume is that it shows Orwell in the round, complete with all his human idiosyncracies and contradictions. [Peter Davisons] attention to detail is nothing short of heroicThis is the authentic Orwell voice: wonderfully clear and fresh and forthright.<br /> - <strong><em>Mail on Sunday</em></strong><br /><br />This new edition of Orwells letters is imperative for anyone who wishes to earn a larger understanding of the twentieth centurys most potent essayist.<br /> - <strong>William Giraldi, <em>The New Republic</em></strong><br /><br />Any Orwell admirer will be grateful for Davisons industry in carving out manageable chunks from the millions of words Orwell wrote, and for all except the most fanatical, this will be plenty. There are pleasures and surprises on every page.<br /> - <strong>Andrew Ferguson, <em>The American Spectator</em></strong><br /><br />[Orwells] critique of the political and economic systems that create and justify poverty and his personal courage in the face of threats to freedom and injustice remain as relevant and inspirational for us today as they were in the years leading to and following World War II. The George Orwell that Davison presents to us is an appealing one: indefatigable writer, generous friend, champion of the poor and oppressed, avid gardener and outdoorsman. If Davisons compilation of Orwells letters, which help fill out our understanding of this oft-caricatured writer, can draw readers more deeply into the life and catalogue of George Orwell, then he will have accomplished an important objective.<br /> - <strong>James Lang, <em>America: The National Catholic Weekly</em></strong><br /><br />In distilling the 1,700 letters written by Orwell, Davison set himself two goals: the letters should illustrate his life and hopes, and each should be of interest in its own right. This volume admirably fulfills this twofold mission; it is a tribute to Davisons decades-long scholarship on Orwells life.<br /> - <strong>Daniel P. King, <em>World Literature Today</em></strong>
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  # The Collected George Orwell
  
  
  GEORGE ORWELL
  
  
  ![](images/Orwe_9781551997995_epub_L01_r1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/Orwe_9781551997995_epub_L01_r1.jpg)
  
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  
  This title is in the public domain in Canada and is not subject to any license
  or copyright.
  
  
  Cover Design: Leah Springate
  
  
  Cover Images: (paper) © leoks / [Shutterstock](http://shutterstock.com)
  
  
  ISBN: 978-1-55199-799-5
  
  
  [www.penguinrandomhouse.ca](http://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca)
  
  
  v3.1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [_Cover_](Orwe_9781551997995_epub_cvi_r1.htm)
  
  
  [_Title Page_](Orwe_9781551997995_epub_tp_r1.htm)
  
  
  [_Copyright_](Orwe_9781551997995_epub_cop_r1.htm)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Down and Out in Paris and London](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_tp_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Epigraph](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_col1_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Chapter I](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_c01_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Chapter II](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_c02_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Chapter III](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_c03_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Chapter IV](Orwe_978155199XXX1_epub_c04_r1.htm)
  
  
  [Cha