Seeing Things as They Are: Selected Journalism and Other Writings (Penguin Modern Classics)

'This selection is a ceaseless delight ... there is a treat on almost every page' Daily Telegraph

George Orwell wrote, in his words, from 'a desire to see things as they are'. This new collection of his journalism and other writings, including articles, essays, broadcasts, poems, book and film reviews from across his career, shows his unmatched genius for observing the world. Whether discussing Polish immigration or Scottish independence, railing against racism, defending the English language or holding an imaginary conversation with Jonathan Swift, these pieces reveal a clear-eyed, entertaining and eternally relevant chronicler of his age.

Edited with an introduction by Peter Davison

'Orwell's luminous gift was for seeing things, for noticing what othersmissed, took for granted or simply found uninteresting, for discoveringmeaning and wonder in the familiarity of the everyday... Nothing escapedor seemed beneath his notice, which was what made him such a goodreporter... Seeing Things As They Are is intended to be acollection first and foremost of his journalism, withpreference givento lesser-known pieces and reviews as well as some of the poemshewrote. It is full of interest and curiosities' Jason Cowley, Financial Times

'PeterDavison gives us a feast of [Orwell's] shorter writings, showing howfrom such hesitant beginnings he evolved into the writer of enduringimportance we know, committed to decency, equality and politicalhonesty, who could nevertheless wax lyrical over the first signs ofspring or an imaginary English pub' Gordon Bowker, Independent