William Abrahams News Today

Anna Funder explains how the search for Eileen O’Shaughnessy, a compelling figure strangely absent from Orwell’s writing, illuminated her own life

The celebrated author decided she wanted to adopt a new writing identity for a mystery novel. It didn't turn out well.

30th April 2020 by George Orwell and Fatherhood: Part One The most important influence on George Orwell was probably his father. This essay, then, explores the crucial theme of fatherhood in a number of contrasting ways. It first examines the responses of both Orwell and his contemporaries to his father. It then looks at the many fascinating representations of fathers in his novels. Orwell’s own strikingly progressive attitudes as a dad are highlighted as are, finally, the responses of his s...

Smiles — and some tears — as schools reopen By Riaan Marais, Zamandulo Malonde and Roslyn Baatjies-Klaasen - 16 February 2021 NOT TODAY: Grade R learner Avuyile Jilimba, 5, tries to return to mom Yonelisa Jilimba (in blue) on his first day at school at Mbasa Primary School in Motherwell Image: WERNER HILLS While the usual first-day fears were apparent on the faces of some pupils, it was predominately sanitising and smiles across Nelson Mandela Bay at the...

The Crazy Real-Life Story Of 1984 Author George Orwell Justin Sullivan/Getty Images By S. Flannagan/Jan. 11, 2021 3:08 pm EDT/Updated: Jan. 11, 2021 3:10 pm EDT Theres an old stereotype about novelists — that theyll do anything to get new material. In the case of George Orwell, one of the most quoted (and misquoted) authors of the 20th century, this certainly rings true. In fact, the British author had what can only be described as an almost pathological necessity to accumul...