The Routledge Companion to George Orwell

George Orwell (1903-1950) and ‘Orwellian’ have maintained an enduring and significant influence in the global mass media, countries’ broader cultures and political debates. The Routledge Companion to George Orwell provides comprehensive coverage of Orwell’s works, life, reception and legacy.

Bringing together the work of an international group of scholars, the 37 chapters are divided into five thematic sections. The first carries pioneering studies of his global reception and influence, with particular focus on China, Russia, Spain, Latin America and the US. Part two considers critical interventions in Orwell studies. Part three looks at Orwell’s life and writings and the way they connect with other authors. The next part concentrates on Orwell’s texts in innovative ways taking in a range of topics such as sexuality, illness, imperial myths, friendship, Orwell the voracious reader, Orwell the poet, and the ethically-driven investigative journalist. Throughout his career as a writer and journalist, Orwell was intrigued by the way in which political and language issues often overlapped, and this is the focus of the fifth and final part. It takes in a range of fascinating topics including common decency, objective truth, death and emotional truth. Tim Luckhurst’s Afterword offers reflections on his own engagement with Orwell’s writing, beginning in his school days and developing throughout his career in journalism.

Drawing on the latest research and theory, this authoritative collection is an indispensable resource for students and scholars of Orwell studies, politics, creative writing, cultural studies, journalism, philosophy and reception studies.