Homage to Catalonia

Paperback, 272 pages

English language

Published Jan. 1, 1938 by Penguin.

ISBN:
978-0-14-118305-3
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OCLC Number:
570959

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5 stars (1 review)

'Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic Socialism as I understand it'. Thus wrote Orwell following his experiences as a militiaman in the Spanish Civil War, chronicled in Homage to Catalonia. Here he brings to bear all the force of his humanity, passion and clarity, describing with bitter intensity the bright hopes and cynical betrayals of that chaotic episode: the revolutionary euphoria of Barcelona, the courage of ordinary Spanish men and women he fought alongside, the terror and confusion of the front, his near-fatal bullet wound and the vicious treachery of his supposed allies.

Eric Arthur Blair (1903-1950), better known by his pen-name, George Orwell, was born in India, where his father worked for the Civil Service. An author and journalist, Orwell was one of the most prominent and influential figures in twentieth-century literature. His …

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notes on 'Homage to Catalonia'

5 stars

stunning writing that gives a feeling for both trench warfare and street conflict

the book captures the joys of liberation - and how easily they can be lost

it's fascinating to see how some of Orwell's experiences and observations here come up again in 1984 - a fear of rats, poor-quality tobacco falling out of cigarettes, newspapers rewriting history, worries of being informed on, and the horrors of being confined as a political prisoner

Orwell's personal bravery and dedication to goodness are also evident from this book

Subjects

  • Spain
  • Orwell, George, 1903-1950
  • Politics and government
  • Spain -- Catalonia
  • Travel
  • Authors, English
  • Soldiers
  • Communism