Orwell’s Ghosts

Orwell's Ghosts:Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century (2024)  240pp.

So much Orwell, so little time. Amazing to me how an author can produce so much in so little time. Orwell was only 46 when he died. Known primarily in the U.S. for his novella,Animal Farm, and the seminal novel 1984, he published a great quantity of reviews, essays and other novels. And being elevated to an iconoclast, he has been interpreted, studied and adopted by scholars and laymen alike. Our humble library has at least 40 titles about Orwell.

It has been 75 years since 1984 was written, and one of the newest paeans to his life, times and legacy is from academic Laura Beers. The subtitle of her book, Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century, gives the reader a clue as to how the author will parse Orwell. This interpretation begs the reader to explore Orwell's oeuvre beyond the cursory introduction that many readers have experienced. Beers is not shy in calling out the louts who claim that every slight is "Orwellian" and glom onto his legacy as their own, however misguided and ignorant. In six brief chapters Beers informs the reader about a number of Orwell's insights into modern dystopian scenarios, such as inequality, censorship, and totalitarianism. 

The chapter on patriarchy hones in on one of Orwell's failings. Critically, but without malice, Beers details Orwell's rampant misogyny in his writings and in his personal life. As a writer Orwell failed to recognize or respect women. Beers cites a number of contemporary feminists that were active (and published) in Britain; in spite of Orwell's extensive literary reviews, essays and social commentary - none of these authors received his praise or wrath.

In his personal life, his lack of support for women's rights and his opposition to abortion seem antithetical to his socialist stance. Even contrasted with the attitudes of his contemporaries — Beers is relentless in pointing out — none his actions or writings in regard to violence to women is acceptable or excusable. Beers graphically illustratesthis with excerpts and anecdotes of the violence, sadism, and predation in Orwell. In conclusion, Beers acknowledges Orwell's progressive bonafides, but starkly details his limitations and transgressions concerning gender politics. 

This book succeeds in whetting the appetite for the further exploration into arguably the most trenchant critic of the 20th century.