Eileen The Making of George Orwell #Review

I am intrigued to be taking part in the tour to celebrate the publication of Sylvia Topp's biography of Eileen, the Making of George Orwell.

This is the never-before-told story of George Orwell's first wife, Eileen, a woman who shaped, supported, and even saved the life of one of the twentieth century's greatest writers.

 In 1934, Eileen O'Shaughnessy's futuristic poem, 'End of the Century, 1984', was published. The next year, she would meet George Orwell, then known as Eric Blair, at a party. 'Now that is the kind of girl I would like to marry!' he remarked that night. Years later, Orwell would name his greatest work, Nineteen Eighty-Four, in homage to the memory of Eileen, the woman who shaped his life and his art in ways that have never been acknowledged by history, until now.

From the time they spent in a tiny village tending goats and chickens, through the Spanish Civil War, to the couple's narrow escape from the destruction of their London flat during a German bombing raid, and their adoption of a baby boy, Eileen is the first account of the Blairs' nine-year marriage. It is also a vivid picture of bohemianism, political engagement, and sexual freedom in the 1930s and '40s.

Through impressive depth of research, illustrated throughout with photos and images from the time, this captivating and inspiring biography offers a completely new perspective on Orwell himself, and most importantly tells the life story of an exceptional woman who has been unjustly overlooked.

My Thoughts

It is fascinating to discover so much about the woman who chose to marry Eric Blair, or George Orwell as he became known as. Eileen was certainly a character in her own right yet she supported George Orwell throughout his writing life and she seems to have subjugated her talents in favour of  his. 

    As a biography, this certainly opens up Eileen's life to the reader. It is detailed and gives you an insight into her part in his creative process. Of course, it is difficult to know how far her influence went but she was there as most of the novels were created. I am not sure that George Orwell emerges as a very likeable character but she seems to have been a great influence and supporter through their life together and they had a deep understanding. 

   This is a detailed look at George Orwell's life with Eileen. She is still looked upon through the eyes of her husband but I do believe that you can glimpse her, nevertheless. 

About the Author

Sylvia Topp has worked in publishing since college, starting as a copy editor on medical journals, then moving to freelance editing at major literary publishing houses. She was the long-time wife and partner of Tuli Kupferberg, a Beat poet who later was a co-founder, in 1964, of the Fugs, a legendary rock and roll band. Together Sylvia and Tuli wrote, edited, and designed over thirty books and magazines, including As They Were, 1001 Ways to Live Without Working, and Yeah! magazine. Sylvia joined the staff at The Soho Weekly News and later The Village Voice, before finishing her publishing career at Vanity Fair. Eileen is her first book. She lives in Kingston, Ontario.

You can follow Sylvia here:  Twitter

Book links: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Sylvia Topp and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour!

Check out the rest of the tour!