Oh well, Orwell

I might as well write a post since I have been on here for ages. Was about to get off and write something, you know that weird paper stuff, but I shall endeavour to get my brain in gear to bash something down on zee keys.

First things first, the Orwell biography I am reading is a goodly read. It's a relatively recent one by D.J. Taylor who was born and lives in Norwich and looks like a fun packed fella by his press shot in the back. It is well organised and referenced with a multi-part index containing not only general but biographical summary, attitudes and works sections as well as citations for references used and notes for each chapter. The structure is chronological with the book being split into five broad "Parts" subdivided into chapters and each dealing with stages in the development of his career. Interspersed in these are short character related sections with titles like "Orwell's face" and "Orwell and the rats". It also contains two sections of plates with photographs of Orwell growing up and some of the main players in his life, publishers and romantic interests.

The book itself has been a fascinating read so far a fairly minute study of his life with an attempt to debunk all the posthumous mythologising and coming to the conclusion that the reasons given by him for his actions right from school onwards appear to have been carefully structured to give a trajectory to his life that was less than the more random series of occurrences it was. I also find the historical aspect interesting, covering as it does the transitional period away from the age of empire, a still existing old style class system and the move into the modern era. I am getting on well with it and should finish soon, I have volume 1 of his collected essays, journals and letters to read too. He is about to go to Spain to fight against Franco and the Fascists, will be good to compare Taylor's account with that given in "Homage to Catalonia". Actually whilst describing the circumstances around the writing of each book Taylor also gives his own little description and potted review within the chapters. That's all for now.

P.S. Surely Mozilla must win something for the best icon for a browser? What's better a blue "e" or a cute fox curled around the world? come on.