Down and Out in Paris and London

“On Christmas 1932, Eric Arthur Blair brought his parents a stack of sample copies of his first book, ‘Burmese Days in Paris and London’ (literally: Pounds of trouble in Paris and London). Reading the chronicle of wanderings written in a free, conversational style, his mother, with proper stiffness, concluded: ‘This isn’t Eric.’ Mrs. Blair was right; the author’s name was given as a new, not-yet-known writer—George Orwell. Later, much later, his name would resound around the world, become a symbol of free-thinking, and be associated with two great works of the 20th century: the parable novella ‘Animal Farm’ (1945) and the anti-utopian novel ‘1984’ (1949). But in 1933, after ‘Burmese Days in Paris and London’ was published, literary circles first started talking about a new, distinct writer. And already in Orwell’s first major work appeared the main features of his manner and style—so characteristic of his attention to language, simplicity, credibility, and precision—which, as T.S. Eliot put it, is distinguished by “the native, plain honesty.” The debut novel—largely autobiographical—has humor, is light, dynamic, and witty. It’s no accident that many of Orwell’s fans call ‘Burmese Days in Paris and London’ their favorite work.
This book is only a bright episode from a much larger report of life—an episode that at once provokes an involuntary smile and admiration.