D. J. Taylor, Orwell: The New Life

Excerpt

Orwell: The New Life is a considerably revised and updated edition of D. J. Taylor’s 2003 volume Orwell: The Life. A new biography is definitely called for, in part because hidden aspects of Orwell have come into view. This edition (for instance) tells us much more about his relationships with women. We have discovered letters Orwell wrote to Eleanor Jaques and Brenda Salkeld (he was romantically involved with both) as well as revelatory correspondence sent to a friend by Eileen, his first wife. In 1940, Britain’s Finest Hour, George and Eileen were at least toying with the idea of an occasionally open marriage: as he wrote to Brenda, “Eileen said she wished I could sleep with you about twice a year, just to keep me happy, but of course we can’t manage things like that” (p. 381). And it is now revealed that, after Eileen’s death, a bereft Orwell proposed marriage to just about every woman within striking distance. …