Best George Orwell Books

Born as Eric Arthur Blair, George Orwell, was known in the 19th century for his direct and creative writing style. He often wrote novels with short concise sentences instead of using a lengthy poetic style. By using metaphors and allusions he made the themes of his stories more apparent to readers.

His stories usually tackled depressing and dreary issues. He commonly wrote about political activism and how political issues impacted his life. Often he would support socialism and fight against communism. In his well-known book, 1984, he discusses the issues surrounding communism and describes the failures of the government system. This book might inspire you to learn more about the most common forms of government. If you enjoy his writing style and take on politics then you should read these books considered to be the best George Orwell books.

Down and Out in Paris and London is one of the best George Orwell books since it focuses on George Orwell's experiences of being in Paris and London without basic life necessities. He describes the struggles of being poor in Paris and how wealthy people look down on the hungry and needy people. Throughout the book, Orwell has several different jobs ranging from a dishwasher to an English tutor. In the first half of the novel, Orwell describes the issues that come with being poor in Paris and how it affects his life. In the second half of the book, Orwell focuses on how the life of poverty in London causes people to constantly move their homes or risk getting arrested. This book concludes with Orwell's thoughts on being poor and how if possible, people should avoid a life of poverty at all costs. It makes people reflect on how it is difficult to be hungry and homeless in America.

Homage to Catalonia is a first-person narrative about Orwell's experiences in or close by to Catalonia and Aragon as an infantry soldier in the Spanish Civil War fighting on the Republican side. The Spanish Civil Warended when a military coup was fired against the government of Spain. This caused a defeat of the government. It is interesting how during the time Orwell wrote this novel the outcome of the Spanish Civil War was still undetermined. In this novel, Orwell ends up becoming very enthusiastic about the revolutionary spirit and decides to join the military. George Orwell ends up experiencing some instances where he needs to fight but usually feels tired, hungry and bored. This book describes war experiences in Catalonia and Orwell's take and information about the Spanish Civil War.

1984is one of the best George Orwell books due to the complexity of the plot and the rich themes. It causes readers to think about the power of corruption. In this novel, Winston Smith is a low-level member of the ruling party in London. He is a resident in the nation of Oceania. Consistently, Smith is being watched by the Party in London. They track him on television screens and see all of his actions during the day. Even at home, which is usually a safe place for people, the Party can still watch Smith. The Party has the ability to control all of the residents of Oceania's thoughts and their language. In 1984, Smith is frustrated about how the Party has control over his life. In addition, he becomes obsessed with a member of the Party, O'Brien, whom Winston thinks is secretly a part of the Brotherhood, a group seeking to destroy the Party. Winston ends up having a romantic relationship with a woman named Julia. Winston ends up finding out that during the entire novel O'Brien was craving for Julia to be in his control. Once Winston gives up Julia he is set free and given access to the outside world. He ends up no longer feeling a romantic feeling towards Julia and has an appreciation for the Party and the idea that someone is always watching you.

In this novel, George Orwell writes a fictional novel to describe animals that have gone crazy which are used to symbolize the Russian Revolution. The owner of the farm, Mr. Jones, is a cruel man who kills pigs and drowns dogs when he feels they have gotten too old. While Mr. Jones is sleeping the animals listen to a wise boar, Old Major, speak about how to avoid being killed. The boar tells the animals how Mr. Jones does not respect their lives and they should overthrow the man to gain freedom. But he warns the animals to act cautiously and treat all animals equally. Old Major ends up passing away and the animals get ready to rebel against Mr. Jones especially after he does not feed them. The animals try to show how they can run the farm better than Mr. Jones. 1984 emphasizes how animals are all equal, thus emphasizing the equality of humanity. The animals take pride in the book on being an animal run farm. The novel causes readers to think more about peace or war. Towards the end of the book, animals end up having human qualities, such as pigs walking on two legs.

In Burmese Days, Orwell discusses colonial life in Burma in 1925. Many English people are racist towards James Flory, the main character of the book. He has a big birthmark that covers most of his face which causes him to be self-conscious and he ends up becoming an introverted and shy person. In the novel, the European Club is the social, political group of Burma. The club is very exclusive and only open to white people. The plot takes a twist when a young and pretty woman, Elizabeth, shows up in Burma and is looking for a husband. Elizabeth ends up in a love triangle with Flory and a cavalry officer. This is one of the best George Orwell books because it tackles important themes such as gender, imperialism, courage, racism and self-awareness.

In A Clergyman's Daughter, Dorothy Here is the only child of a Reverend, Charles Here. The novel takes place in a small village in Suffolk County, Knype Hill. In the beginning of the story, readers understand what it's like to be a clergyman's daughter in rural England in the 1930s. Later in the book, Dorothy ends up in London in ripped clothes and has no idea where she is or her background. As readers find out, Dorothy suffers from amnesia. She ends up being picked up by a family since she has some money and introduces herself as Ellen. Orwell goes into detail about Ellen's life and struggles with poverty. A Clergyman's Daughter ends with Ellen staying as a clergyman's daughter and helping her dad and doing church work. People end up having more respect for Ellen and are nicer to her since she had several obstacles to overcome.

This novel keeps track of Orwell and describes how studying work can cause insightful and philosophical ideas. George Orwell delves into the art of film, drama, literature, and language. This novel is clearly one of the best George Orwell books. It is structured as a group of essays by Orwell. If you enjoy learning more about the meaning behind films and understanding the deeper meaning of art and literature then All Art is Propaganda: Critical Essays is a must read book.

This novel, Coming Up for Air, is sectioned into four books. The structure of the novel allows readers to understand the past from the present. In the novel, George Bowling wakes up to a solution for spending the 17 pounds he won by betting on horses. He feels trapped by his family and life in England. The novel describes George Bowling's memories as a child in Lower Binfield, a rich English village. Readers can gain insight into memories of how George and his brother would fish and one time saw a pool at the Binfield House with a large carp in it. George ends up leaving the village due to World War I. The novel focuses on George's memories before World War I.

Keep the Aspidistra Flying is one of the best George Orwell books about a discontented man, Gordon Comstock, who feels all modern commerce is a fraud and tries to get out of the monetary system altogether. The man refuses to move forward in life and is stubborn about the pressure he gets from family and friends. This man ends up becoming poor and neglects himself. Even though he makes very little money as a book assistant he refuses to accept a job where he can make more money because he thinks it causes people to lose their spirit and happiness for life. However, once he rejects the monetary system, Comstock finds out that all he thinks about is money and how it impacts his life. Orwell does a great job displaying how money can change a person and their attitude on life. This book puts into perspective why compassion is important and to respect people regardless of how much money they earn.

This novel was published in 1946 and goes into detail about why George Orwell decided to become a writer starting at a young age. The book explains how Orwell was crazed about reading and writing and realized that he was meant to become a writer. He describes how there are four important reasons a person decides to become a writer, such as trying to be sound smart and be remembered after death, witness how your writing can impact a person, learn more facts and a craving to change the world's political views. He briefly touches on how he became a political writer. Why I Write is one of the best George Orwell books if you are craving to learn more about why Orwell chose to become a published author.