The Orwell Diaries

George Orwell’s oeuvre is everywhere this summer. Earlier this month, Penguin released redesigned editions of his two seminal works, Animal Farm and 1984. On August 9th, the Orwell Prize will issue the Orwell Diaries for blog consumption in daily servings.

Like epistles addressed to no one and thus everyone, the Englishman’s entries will offer a window into his personal life, critical inquiries, flora and fauna interests, and, of course, political views. Beginning with domestic affairs and transitioning into the political realm on September 7th, it’s a chance to see the wordsmith refine his craft (the rules for which he outlined in Politics and the English Language).

In a time when we are mere user names, Orwell offers this reassurance: “When one reads any strongly individual piece of writing, one has the impression of seeing a face somewhere behind the page.”