yasza's review against another edition
5.0
This huge volume covered a lot of events of Orwell’s life which unfolded in the background of great political changes and WWII.
I didn’t know much about George Orwell’s private matters before starting this book, as a result, I was really surprised by his simple style of living and love for nature. Everyone knows that Orwell was a writer, a journalist and a socialist, but who knew he was an avid gardener and a farmer? Even when living in Marocco he had a garden and a goat. There was a significant number of pages dedicated to vegetable beds, fruit trees, fishing and the quantity of eggs laid by his hens. It felt that those intimate tiny day-to-day details weren’t meant for a publication, which made them even more interesting. These glimpses of Orwell’s life - the notes, the observations and the to-do lists - gave the reader a great opportunity to get a more wholesome and complete image of the author and his environment.
His household journals alternated with the war ones, which comprised a great chunk of this book.
By reading them you can vividly imagine the life in those disturbing times. I was especially interested in parts talking about the role of Russia and Stalin in WWII and Orwell’s views on Russian post-revolutionary politics in general.
But honestly... I was there for the gardening part. Having read some reviews, I see that many people have found it boring and unimportant, but I can’t agree. I was greatly entertained by Orwell’s domestic notes. If you’re in doubt, give it a try. Even when war breaks out and the world changes dramatically, life doesn’t stop: rains fall, hens lay eggs and vegetables grow. These journals are a great example of that.
I didn’t know much about George Orwell’s private matters before starting this book, as a result, I was really surprised by his simple style of living and love for nature. Everyone knows that Orwell was a writer, a journalist and a socialist, but who knew he was an avid gardener and a farmer? Even when living in Marocco he had a garden and a goat. There was a significant number of pages dedicated to vegetable beds, fruit trees, fishing and the quantity of eggs laid by his hens. It felt that those intimate tiny day-to-day details weren’t meant for a publication, which made them even more interesting. These glimpses of Orwell’s life - the notes, the observations and the to-do lists - gave the reader a great opportunity to get a more wholesome and complete image of the author and his environment.
His household journals alternated with the war ones, which comprised a great chunk of this book.
By reading them you can vividly imagine the life in those disturbing times. I was especially interested in parts talking about the role of Russia and Stalin in WWII and Orwell’s views on Russian post-revolutionary politics in general.
But honestly... I was there for the gardening part. Having read some reviews, I see that many people have found it boring and unimportant, but I can’t agree. I was greatly entertained by Orwell’s domestic notes. If you’re in doubt, give it a try. Even when war breaks out and the world changes dramatically, life doesn’t stop: rains fall, hens lay eggs and vegetables grow. These journals are a great example of that.
bartlebybleaney's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book if you're really into reading the daily accounts of Orwell's attempts at farming: the weather, how many eggs the hens laid, how much gas was used that day. Also interesting if you want to read Orwell's reaction to the news and events in London during World War II. Not particularly full of Orwell's thoughts on life, the universe, and everything. Really, my favorite parts were those from his stint as a tramp.
mariamchld's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
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