George Orwell

George Orwell was one of the greatest writers England produced in the last century. He left an enduring mark on our language and culture, with concepts such as 'Big Brother' and 'Room 101.' His reputation rests not only on his political shrewdness and his sharp satires (Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four) but also on his marvellously clear style and superb essays, which rank with the best ever written. Gordon Bowker's new biography, written to coincide with Orwell's centenary, includes fascinating new material which brings his life into unfamiliar focus. He writes revealingly about Orwell's family background; the lasting influence of Eton on his work and character; his superstitious streak and youthful flirtation with black magic; and his chaotic and reckless sex life, which included at least one homoerotic relationship. It highlights the strange circumstances of his first marriage and provides remarkable new evidence of his experiences in Spain and their nightmarish consequences. It also offers a fresh look at his peculiar deathbed marriage to a woman fifteen years his junior. All this has enabled Bowker to give Orwell's life a brilliantly fresh and distinctive interpretation.

“"This biography is the best of the many since Orwell's death…In all his complex contradictions, Orwell comes to energetic life." - Publishers Weekly”

An exhilaratingly crowded book - INDEPENDENT

Invaluable... superb and fascinating biography adds enormously to our understanding of the man - EVENING STANDARD

Bowker's biography is that of a scholar... he has the ability to select the right detail and let it speak for itself - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Magisterial - DAILY MAIL

Gordon Bowker has written highly acclaimed biographies of Malcolm Lowry (a New York Times Recommended Book of the Year) and Lawrence Durrell, and articles and reviews for the Observer, the Sunday Times, the New York Times and the Times Literary Supplement.

Gordon Bowker's biography includes material which brings the writer's life into unfamiliar focus. Bowker writes revealingly about Orwell's family background, the lasting influence of Eton on his work and character, his superstitious streak and youthful flirtation with black magic, and his chaotic and reckless sex life, which included at least one homoerotic relationship. It highlights the strange circumstances of his first marriage and provides evidence of his experiences in Spain and their nightmarish consequences. It also offers a fresh look at his peculiar deathbed marriage to a woman 15 years his junior.

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