pickMan, George Orwell does not come off well in this book!
An account of the first wife of George Orwell, the celebrated author of 1984 and Animal Farm, shining a light on his misogyny. The book however transcends beyond just the life of the wife, it brings into light the inherent patriarchy prevalent in our society since times immemorial, with a special focus of male misogynistic authors and their privilege.
Sometimes just by thinking about it I magic books into Little Free Libraries. That was the case with the tagged book yesterday which I was pleased to discover on my way to two hours of ballet last night in the rain.
pickThis book is part biography, part fiction and part memoir of the author. A strange combination and I wasn‘t sure what to make of it at first. I like George Orwell‘s work but this book looks at his wife Eileen and her role and influence on his work. And how she has been ignored by everyone including Orwell. It left me thinking that Orwell was a completely self absorbed a-hole!! The book had me questioning assumptions but rounded them out perfectly
‘Listen to this for a thank-you note,‘ she tells Lettice, finding Wells‘s letter. “Why do you attack me in this way? Is it some perverted jealousy or some insane political machinations. Read my early works you shit.”‘ Lettice chuckles.
‘Poor man,‘ she says. ‘Probably thinks you were trying to kill him.‘
‘Yes,‘ Eileen says. ‘Death by plum cake.‘
These anxieties of authenticity exist because when words go inside a reader, they make magic. They fizz and pop and conjure. They change minds. Your words may cast a spell on the reader but they cannot be felt to be a con-artist's trick, for then the reader will feel de- frauded. All the reader wants is for the avatar sitting behind the table to match their inner picture.
When she'd turned around George was at the door, hands on hips, waiting for his answer. She saw then that to him she belonged here with the animals and the house and the garden.
'Spain is a good idea,' she'd said, reaching the back step. 'I'm sure we could be useful.'
He'd looked startled. 'But I'll be at the front. There'd be nothing for you to do.'
so-so25-7 Mar 24 (audiobook)
This book is reminiscent of Virginia Woolf‘s A Room Of One‘s Own and it probably suffered as a result.
Funder tries to discover Orwell‘s first wife, Eileen, hidden in Orwell‘s writing - his letters, articles and novels. Orwell is not likeable. And Eileen was without doubt a clever woman who influenced and enabled his work. I object, however, to some of the assumptions Funder makes and her positioning of herself in the text.
Bit of a deal right now...
#WomensPrizeNF
pickAfter reading this, I must admit that I‘m glad I‘ve never read any of Orwell‘s book. There‘s no pedestal to push him down from
He hardly mentions his wife in his correspondence and books, even when she‘s there helping him out. Which makes it easier for his previous biographers to not include her either. He‘s also a cheater and on at least two occasions he‘s trying to force himself on women. And still there‘s more red flags surrounding him.
