George Orwell Studies 11:1 Published

An Orwellian Mix not to be Missed

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The latest issue of the biannual journal, George Orwell Studies (Vol. 11, No. 1), draws on the extraordinary range of current Orwellian research and writing to offer an irresistible mix of commentaries, academic papers, lively, closely argued articles, a short story, an imaginary interview with the Great Man, book reviews – and much more.

Robin Bunce explores Orwell’s fascination with the architecture of dystopia while the Australian scholar, G. Alexander Denning, ponders the paradox of the proles in Nineteen Eighty-Four.

One of Orwell’s most prized possessions was a family bible containing a detailed tree outlining the descendants of Charles and Lady Mary Blair. Continuing to dazzle us with his highly original research, Darcy Moore reveals some unexpected connections between these great-great-grandparents, an iconic Alpine hut and Mary Shelley’s gothic novel, Frankenstein.

Angela Smith examines the particular brand of humour of Eileen O’Shaughnessy, Orwell’s first wife – concentrating on her use in her letters of irony, hyperbole and whimsy while Yemen scholar Nabil Awadh Yahya Farea considers in depth what he describes as ‘the production of surplus humanity’ in Orwell’s last novel. Richard Lance Keeble follows up interviewing Dr Farea about teaching Orwell in war-torn Yemen – and other Orwellian matters.

Given that Orwell worked for the BBC from 1941 to 1943, it is extraordinary that no recording of his voice exists. Charlie Ellis explores the impact of this on Orwell’s posthumous reputation. And as the row over Anna Funder’s Wifedom rumbles on John Rodden focuses on the decision of an examination board to remove Down and Out in Paris and London by Eileen O’Shaughnessy’s husband and insert – yes, you guessed – Funder’s study.

Dorian Lynskey recently ranked Orwell’s novels in a Guardian piece. Sarah Gibbs responds – taking a somewhat critical look at the whole business of ranking.

Ann Kronbergs continues her series of beautifully written and original short stories about the women in Orwell’s life while an imaginary interview by Hassan Akram, an exhibition review by Kevin Lerner and book reviews by John Newsinger and Jesús Isaías Gómez López add further ingredients to the Orwellian feast.

• George Orwell Studies, which is completely independent of The Orwell Society, is edited by Richard Lance Keeble and Tim Crook and published by Abramis. For purchase and subscription details see https://www.abramis.co.uk/george-orwell-studies/subs.htm.