Customer Reviews

Orwell: The Lost Writings

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A collection of archived BBC material dating from the period when Orwell headed the BBC India Service consisting of internal memos, letters and radio plays.

Some of the memos hint of Ministry of Information (MOI) censorship of Orwell's views on the British Empire,and especially India. Did the MOI and the BBC experiences became the Ministry of Truth and censorship in "1984?" Orwell ultimately saw the India Service as a waste of time.

One radio play was interesting because it was written and read by multiple authors, starting with Orwell, in serial form with each author continuing where the last left off. Another play features a biology student, the son of a workingman, being kicked out of university for honestly admitting fault on a small matter...classic socialist early Orwell.

During Orwell's period with the BBC, C.S. Lewis was reading his "Mere Christianity" on the radio (it was later made into the book). They were both famous and working for the BBC at the same time. Orwell made contemptuous remarks about Lewis' writing in one memo and another essay "silly religous books." Lewis, on the other hand, complimented "Animal Farm". I often wonder what the relationship between them was at the BBC.

It is good that these writings have been published to perserve BBC history, but most...not all...are only of value to historians and make for tedious reading. The historical value of the collection gives the book five stars.

An excellent read. I enjoy reading Orwell's writings of all kinds. Delighted to add this volume to my collection of his works.Orwell: The Lost Writings