"Down and Out in Paris and London" by George Orwell is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences living in poverty in Paris and London in the 1920s. The book is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on Orwell's experiences in Paris and the second part on his experiences in London. In the book, Orwell describes the challenges and hardships faced by those living in poverty, including hunger, homelessness, and the constant struggle to find work. He also discusses the social and economic forces that contribute to poverty, including unemployment, low wages, and the unequal distribution of wealth. Despite the difficult subject matter, the book is written in a vivid and engaging style, with Orwell using his experiences to provide insight into the lives of those living in poverty. He also provides a critique of the societal systems that perpetuate poverty and the ways in which the poor are often treated as second-class citizens. Overall, "Down and Out in Paris and London" is a powerful and moving account of poverty and the struggles faced by those living on the margins of society. It is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, poverty, and the human experience.
Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903-21 January 1950), well known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, journalist, and critic. He was born in Bengal, India and educated in England. His father was a lower British official in the Indian civil service, his mother of French ancestors, was the daughter of a futile teak merchant in Burma (Myanmar). After school he became an Imperial policeman in Burma, before departing to Suffolk, where he began his writing career as George Orwell. He managed to focus on subjects like social injustice, resistance to dictatorship and support towards elected communism. The acute honesty and intention of his essays and non-fiction made Orwell one of the leading social commentators of his age. He is known for the symbolic novel Animal Farm (1944), and the autocratic novel Nineeteen Eighy-Four (1949). His non-fiction works, including The Road to Wigan Pier (1937), recording his experience of working-class life in the industrial north of England, and Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences repairing for the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) are as outstandingly respected as his essays on politics and literature, language and culture. George Orwell died in London in January 1950.
